Dixon administration should be praised for shelter initiative
Dan Keenan
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Opinion
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Among many of the city of Baltimore's flaws, one that has had dangerous repercussions to human life is the city's "Code Blue" policy during the winter months, regarding a particular homeless shelter known as the "cold blue shelter."
Prior to this past winter, this shelter was not open during the night unless the air temperature dropped below 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was measured at a minimum of 15 mph.
If these pre-requisites were met, the shelter would open their doors for the homeless of "Charm City."
This alone should appall anyone. The city is setting a standard for when they will or will not act on behalf of the homeless However, the city decided for the winter season of 2006-2007 to remain open every night, but not during the daytime.
This was, a step in the right direction, but only a small one. It does not reflect well on the city's responsiveness that it has taken this long to implement a standing policy of housing the disenfranchised during the colder months.
However, it seems as though Baltimore's new mayor, Sheila Dixon, is beginning to take somewhat broader steps towards addressing one of this city's biggest problems.
In recent weeks the Dixon administration has expressed its strong interest in renovating a piece of property, an abandoned former school building located on Guilford Street, and refurbishing it into the first winter shelter in Baltimore that would not only be open everyday, but also for 24 hours a day.
There has been tension, though, from the neighborhood surrounding the building as well as from Cristo Rey, a Jesuit high school.
In a recent Baltimore Sun news section article, it was reported that the high school, located on South Chester Street, wished to purchase the deteriorating building and transform it into their new school. The problem at this point for the school is that it is lacking the funds needed to purchase the property from the city. It was also reported that the people who live in the neighborhood surrounding the building, who are a part of what is known as the New Greenmount West Community Association, are protesting the idea of a homeless shelter in the area.
Prior to this past winter, this shelter was not open during the night unless the air temperature dropped below 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was measured at a minimum of 15 mph.
If these pre-requisites were met, the shelter would open their doors for the homeless of "Charm City."
This alone should appall anyone. The city is setting a standard for when they will or will not act on behalf of the homeless However, the city decided for the winter season of 2006-2007 to remain open every night, but not during the daytime.
This was, a step in the right direction, but only a small one. It does not reflect well on the city's responsiveness that it has taken this long to implement a standing policy of housing the disenfranchised during the colder months.
However, it seems as though Baltimore's new mayor, Sheila Dixon, is beginning to take somewhat broader steps towards addressing one of this city's biggest problems.
In recent weeks the Dixon administration has expressed its strong interest in renovating a piece of property, an abandoned former school building located on Guilford Street, and refurbishing it into the first winter shelter in Baltimore that would not only be open everyday, but also for 24 hours a day.
There has been tension, though, from the neighborhood surrounding the building as well as from Cristo Rey, a Jesuit high school.
In a recent Baltimore Sun news section article, it was reported that the high school, located on South Chester Street, wished to purchase the deteriorating building and transform it into their new school. The problem at this point for the school is that it is lacking the funds needed to purchase the property from the city. It was also reported that the people who live in the neighborhood surrounding the building, who are a part of what is known as the New Greenmount West Community Association, are protesting the idea of a homeless shelter in the area.
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Greenmount Resident
posted 11/08/07 @ 9:53 AM EST
Dan,
It's nice to see that you interviewed the "City" for your article but didn't take the time to interview residents who would actually be affected by the shelter. (Continued…)
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