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Post by OscarsDad4 on Jul 29, 2014 14:51:50 GMT -4
Are there any community development block grants being used on this specific expansion? And why change the zoning to commercial? Isn't this housing? Current zoning should cover them. Thanks for having a polite conversation... Yes, the bulk of this is being paid for with Community Development Block Grants. There are some donations being used as well (money saved up by the non-profit). In fact, the property was purchased with over $300k in CDBG's back in 2009. Most of that street has been changed to Commercial/Residential over the years. It's currently zoned as commercial... hopefully this is explained at the town hall.
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Post by lainey on Jul 29, 2014 15:29:12 GMT -4
I see where the property was originally purchased with Community Block Development grants but I see nothing where this expansion project is funded in that same manner. Do you have information I have overlooked? Also, looking further into the situation, I have found other documentation on how Our Haven Shelter operates. www.haven-ministries.org/files/4014/0388/6379/Haven_Ministries_Shelter_Overview.pdfThis document explains just about everything they do and how they do it. I have heard in the past about how strict they are with their guest services and complying with the rules. I dont see this program as a blight on our community but rather as an asset to our neighbors who are not as fortunate as others.
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Jul 29, 2014 15:46:02 GMT -4
I see where the property was originally purchased with Community Block Development grants but I see nothing where this expansion project is funded in that same manner. Do you have information I have overlooked? Also, looking further into the situation, I have found other documentation on how Our Haven Shelter operates. www.haven-ministries.org/files/4014/0388/6379/Haven_Ministries_Shelter_Overview.pdfThis document explains just about everything they do and how they do it. I have heard in the past about how strict they are with their guest services and complying with the rules. I dont see this program as a blight on our community but rather as an asset to our neighbors who are not as fortunate as others. County resolutions 12-07 and 13-03 are for the expansion of the facility on State Street. I agree with your assessment of the operation currently run by Haven Ministries. However, as I've stated several times in this thread, their operation is changing. So, it's very relevant to ask how they plan to maintain their current level of proficiency in relation to the planned expansion of their operations. Further, I also agree that the program is NOT a blight on our community and I’ve never suggested it is anything other than an asset. It’s the location (of the shelter!) that presents concern for many people. Finally, I'd like to point out some other statistics. QAC has a poverty rate of 7.4% (compared to a maryland average of 9.4%). Stevensville has a poverty rate of 3.5%, much less than QAC's average. Obviously this indicates that the largest percentage of QAC's unfortunate do not reside in Stevensville. These are the people that would make use of the transitional housing and food pantry. Why do we plan to make them travel to Stevensville, especially in an area that does not have many entry level jobs (especially compared to a location like Chester)? I guess I can see how it's easy access to schools for the transitional housing resident children, so that's a good thing. Hopefully that'll be addressed at the town hall as well. NOTE: This thought has nothing to do with the "shelter"; it's specific to the transitional home and is implying that it could be better to leave the current transitional home as-is, and develop another property owned by QAC Housing Authority that is closer to more jobs.
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Post by jennyg on Jul 29, 2014 16:26:25 GMT -4
I do not see where Chester has more entry level jobs vs. Stevensville. Could be you really just don't want those beneath you living or bettering themselves near you? QAC is very large and any sort of shelter is going to be a hike for a large portion of the community. I feel bad for Krista getting so much grief for trying to help those in need better than lives. The QAC Housing Authority has a history of providing housing for those who will never be on their own and without need for assistance, be it because of lack of education or lack of motivation. (Like all government welfare programs.) It seems that Haven Ministries has an approach that provides for the betterment of the lives of those they can help. The extra space includes class space, job assistance, etc.
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Post by lainey on Jul 29, 2014 16:42:35 GMT -4
I dont know that anyone WANTS a homeless shelter in their community but at the same time, you cant serve the homeless away from people. There is no ideal location other than one that is within walking distance to schools, stores, jobs, and services. The best location is going to be where they have access. Ive known of a fellow years ago who lived in the woods behind the old Ebb Tide Restaurant, now CVS. He worked, he had a pet, he rode a bike or walked everywhere. He was not a bad guy, just couldnt quite get along in society the way society wanted him to be "normal".
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Jul 29, 2014 16:43:02 GMT -4
I do not see where Chester has more entry level jobs vs. Stevensville. Could be you really just don't want those beneath you living or bettering themselves near you? QAC is very large and any sort of shelter is going to be a hike for a large portion of the community. I feel bad for Krista getting so much grief for trying to help those in need better than lives. The QAC Housing Authority has a history of providing housing for those who will never be on their own and without need for assistance, be it because of lack of education or lack of motivation. (Like all government welfare programs.) It seems that Haven Ministries has an approach that provides for the betterment of the lives of those they can help. The extra space includes class space, job assistance, etc. You're right, the idea of jobs in chester is my opinion. And an opinion (yours or mine) isn't enough to make a decision on the location of transitional housing. So, again, I hope the town hall provides clarity on why they chose this location. Feel free to continue to try and paint me as a hater of the homeless. I'm nothing like that and haven't indicated that at all. Statistically, it's a fact that crime increases when homeless shelters are present. Therefore, this facility is POTENTIALLY putting our children at risk. Crime near children isn't good. Considering that, our community deserves to be better informed than they have been.
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Post by KITransplant on Jul 29, 2014 16:52:58 GMT -4
I think it's a safe bet that Chester has more entry level jobs than Stevensville. I think most people would probably arrive at that conclusion. In fact, I employ a few of these good folks as my servants on my waterfront estate as I make a very good living selling raccoon hats and raccoon accessories.
Now let's please give OscarsDad a break. Let's try reading what he says instead of reading into what he has said.
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Post by alleycat on Jul 29, 2014 18:35:47 GMT -4
Yes, I agree that people need to learn the facts. The home on State street has been used for the last 4 years as "transitional" housing for the homeless, in other words, a shelter. So has the KIUMC in Harbor View during the winter months only. This is not new. The expansion of the facilities on State Street is new. The housing crisis many folks in our community face is not new. Krista has run a very tight and clean ship right on State street for the last 4 years. I am not aware of any public notice requirements that you are speaking of above or any grant requirements that would involve a public notice and meeting. This is being done by a private non profit, not a government entity. The grants used for this facility are Community Development Block Grants. Read about them.. They require public notice and hearings prior to the government’s final resolution. The property at State Street required similar public notice and hearings for its rezoning to Commercial. Again, transitional housing is not the same thing as a shelter. I can’t believe this doesn’t make sense to you guys. A transitional house requires residents to obtain a job and work with a case worker. They must take trainings and other types of development courses in an effort to get them back onto their own two feet. Residents come and go as their work schedules dictate and the house operates as their home. It’s a great thing and I would support a 9000 square foot transitional house in my backyard… maybe not literally since it wouldn’t fit. A shelter is totally different. It operates over night for folks without any requirement of employment or self-help program participation (even though that’s usually encouraged). Those that utilize the shelter cannot stay during the day. There are restrictions on sex offenders (I’m not sure about other types of crimes) and they are not allowed to enter if they’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are countless statistics that indicate an increase in nuisance crime that correlates to the presence of a shelter. There are other statistics indicating a significant increase in VIOLENT crime amongst those that bounce from shelter to shelter. Considering the change in location and the increase in size of the shelter, there’s a VALID argument to be made for citizens to be concerned. That’s why the town hall is needed… people can voice their concerns and LEARN about the planned facility. I hope you enjoyed my facts above… no hyperbolic statements or my self-righteous diatribe. What provisions are made for the homeless during the day. If they dont have jobs, where do they go?
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Jul 29, 2014 18:43:52 GMT -4
The grants used for this facility are Community Development Block Grants. Read about them.. They require public notice and hearings prior to the government’s final resolution. The property at State Street required similar public notice and hearings for its rezoning to Commercial. Again, transitional housing is not the same thing as a shelter. I can’t believe this doesn’t make sense to you guys. A transitional house requires residents to obtain a job and work with a case worker. They must take trainings and other types of development courses in an effort to get them back onto their own two feet. Residents come and go as their work schedules dictate and the house operates as their home. It’s a great thing and I would support a 9000 square foot transitional house in my backyard… maybe not literally since it wouldn’t fit. A shelter is totally different. It operates over night for folks without any requirement of employment or self-help program participation (even though that’s usually encouraged). Those that utilize the shelter cannot stay during the day. There are restrictions on sex offenders (I’m not sure about other types of crimes) and they are not allowed to enter if they’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are countless statistics that indicate an increase in nuisance crime that correlates to the presence of a shelter. There are other statistics indicating a significant increase in VIOLENT crime amongst those that bounce from shelter to shelter. Considering the change in location and the increase in size of the shelter, there’s a VALID argument to be made for citizens to be concerned. That’s why the town hall is needed… people can voice their concerns and LEARN about the planned facility. I hope you enjoyed my facts above… no hyperbolic statements or my self-righteous diatribe. What provisions are made for the homeless during the day. If they dont have jobs, where do they go? Hallelujah!! That's the kind of question that needs to be addressed.
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Post by frankf on Jul 29, 2014 19:03:54 GMT -4
These people are homeless. Not in prison. It's REALLY none of your business where they go or what they do during the day. They are FREE citizens of this country. Just like you.
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Jul 29, 2014 19:29:45 GMT -4
These people are homeless. Not in prison. It's REALLY none of your business where they go or what they do during the day. They are FREE citizens of this country. Just like you. That's a very ignorant statement. The people in the transitional home are FREE people too. Should we not care what provisions are provided for them? If so, cancel the case workers, training, drug testing, etc...let's not support them at all. Provisions for the homeless is a very important topic. Most homeless shelters in this country are located near government facilities designed to provide them with the support and resources they need. At this point in my comment I'm starting to think frank may not know what provisions are....
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Post by frankf on Jul 29, 2014 20:07:23 GMT -4
Apparently Oscarsdad doesn't understand that HOMELESS people are homeless. They aren't criminals. They aren't drug addled sex maniacs out to terrorize and molest children. They just don't have a place to live. However, Oscarsdad does seem to understand the term NIMBY very well.
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Jul 29, 2014 20:13:43 GMT -4
Apparently Oscarsdad doesn't understand that HOMELESS people are homeless. They aren't criminals. They aren't drug addled sex maniacs out to terrorize and molest children. They just don't have a place to live. However, Oscarsdad does seem to understand the term NIMBY very well. Good one frank. You've certainly pegged me
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Post by Workingman on Aug 6, 2014 9:39:39 GMT -4
So I just moved my family to Stevensville last August and we are extremely happy here and love the people and this town. Were never told of this when we bought our house, we are very close to this proposed site and are very nervous about it. I work very hard for my family to keep them safe and happy as I am sure all of you do the same for yours. I do love that Krista is helping the homeless and others in need, I have seen shelters turn people away for reasons like they were unsafe, mental status or they could be a disturbance to the families in the shelter. My worry is if they do turn those unfortunate folks away, were will they go? Will the police come pick them up and give them a place to stay? or will they be left to wonder the streets? I have been robbed at my old house and it made me feel violated and that I could not protect my family. So now I am very protective of my family... I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN!!! But if a person turned away just wants a place to sleep and decides to open a shed for a dry place to sleep well then what is the shelter for?
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Post by KITransplant on Aug 6, 2014 9:53:19 GMT -4
So I just moved my family to Stevensville last August and we are extremely happy here and love the people and this town. Were never told of this when we bought our house, we are very close to this proposed site and are very nervous about it. I work very hard for my family to keep them safe and happy as I am sure all of you do the same for yours. I do love that Krista is helping the homeless and others in need, I have seen shelters turn people away for reasons like they were unsafe, mental status or they could be a disturbance to the families in the shelter. My worry is if they do turn those unfortunate folks away, were will they go? Will the police come pick them up and give them a place to stay? or will they be left to wonder the streets? I have been robbed at my old house and it made me feel violated and that I could not protect my family. So now I am very protective of my family... I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN!!! But if a person turned away just wants a place to sleep and decides to open a shed for a dry place to sleep well then what is the shelter for? Irishmc4, welcome, and now expect a stream of invective to come your way.
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cjman
Junior Member
Posts: 50
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Post by cjman on Aug 6, 2014 10:18:37 GMT -4
Might be worth volunteering at the shelter and meeting the families. No one plans on being homeless I would think. Circumstances, health issues, lack of insurance, loss of a job can put you on the street. With the last great recession, people with jobs for 20 years were out of work and on pubic assistance for the first time in their life. It could happen to any one of us. Also, don't site a statistic like "crime goes up with homeless shelters" as fact without identifying the source. It's statements like that without qualification, that gets people stirred up unnecessarily. As previous posters stated, these people and families are not convicted criminals, they've hit a bad patch. Why don't we show what kind of heart Kent Island has and support the shelters efforts
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Post by Workingman on Aug 6, 2014 10:22:13 GMT -4
So I just moved my family to Stevensville last August and we are extremely happy here and love the people and this town. Were never told of this when we bought our house, we are very close to this proposed site and are very nervous about it. I work very hard for my family to keep them safe and happy as I am sure all of you do the same for yours. I do love that Krista is helping the homeless and others in need, I have seen shelters turn people away for reasons like they were unsafe, mental status or they could be a disturbance to the families in the shelter. My worry is if they do turn those unfortunate folks away, were will they go? Will the police come pick them up and give them a place to stay? or will they be left to wonder the streets? I have been robbed at my old house and it made me feel violated and that I could not protect my family. So now I am very protective of my family... I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN!!! But if a person turned away just wants a place to sleep and decides to open a shed for a dry place to sleep well then what is the shelter for? Irishmc4, welcome, and now expect a stream of invective to come your way. kitransplant, thank you sir.. It is great living over here.. The people are amazing and friends for my son to hangout with and yes I am waiting for the doors to open..
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Post by lainey on Aug 6, 2014 14:03:06 GMT -4
So I just moved my family to Stevensville last August and we are extremely happy here and love the people and this town. Were never told of this when we bought our house, we are very close to this proposed site and are very nervous about it. I work very hard for my family to keep them safe and happy as I am sure all of you do the same for yours. I do love that Krista is helping the homeless and others in need, I have seen shelters turn people away for reasons like they were unsafe, mental status or they could be a disturbance to the families in the shelter. My worry is if they do turn those unfortunate folks away, were will they go? Will the police come pick them up and give them a place to stay? or will they be left to wonder the streets? I have been robbed at my old house and it made me feel violated and that I could not protect my family. So now I am very protective of my family... I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN!!! But if a person turned away just wants a place to sleep and decides to open a shed for a dry place to sleep well then what is the shelter for? Welcome to the Island and the forum. I understand your concerns and would like to offer you some encouragement. To begin, the shelter home on State street has been operational for the last 4-5 years. If we were going to see a spike in crime in the area due to the homeless shelter, I would imagine we would have already seen that spike. Krista has done an amazing job in bringing this resource to our area. She has a reputation for being very tough and caring all in one. Im sure she has had to turn folks away and I dont know where they go when that happens, but unless someone is doing something illegal, I doubt the police do anything at all about the situation which leaves them wandering the streets. With no shelter at all, your shed may look quite inviting. With a shelter, maybe your shed is lacking amenities? The homeless are here. Having a shelter does not mean we don't have homelessness. It just gives them a safe place to stay. The homeless have been here and aren't going anywhere. I used to know of a fellow that lived in a patch of woods behind the old Ebb Tide, now the CVS pharmacy. He was harmless and homeless. He had a job and a pet and a bike, he didnt have a house to live in. He made himself a makeshift shelter in the woods after he lost his boat he used to live on. That was about 15 years ago. Point is, the homeless are already wandering our streets. Having a shelter will not make it worse.
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Aug 6, 2014 14:20:24 GMT -4
So I just moved my family to Stevensville last August and we are extremely happy here and love the people and this town. Were never told of this when we bought our house, we are very close to this proposed site and are very nervous about it. I work very hard for my family to keep them safe and happy as I am sure all of you do the same for yours. I do love that Krista is helping the homeless and others in need, I have seen shelters turn people away for reasons like they were unsafe, mental status or they could be a disturbance to the families in the shelter. My worry is if they do turn those unfortunate folks away, were will they go? Will the police come pick them up and give them a place to stay? or will they be left to wonder the streets? I have been robbed at my old house and it made me feel violated and that I could not protect my family. So now I am very protective of my family... I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN!!! But if a person turned away just wants a place to sleep and decides to open a shed for a dry place to sleep well then what is the shelter for? Welcome to the Island and the forum. I understand your concerns and would like to offer you some encouragement. To begin, the shelter home on State street has been operational for the last 4-5 years. If we were going to see a spike in crime in the area due to the homeless shelter, I would imagine we would have already seen that spike. Krista has done an amazing job in bringing this resource to our area. She has a reputation for being very tough and caring all in one. Im sure she has had to turn folks away and I dont know where they go when that happens, but unless someone is doing something illegal, I doubt the police do anything at all about the situation which leaves them wandering the streets. With no shelter at all, your shed may look quite inviting. With a shelter, maybe your shed is lacking amenities? The homeless are here. Having a shelter does not mean we don't have homelessness. It just gives them a safe place to stay. The homeless have been here and aren't going anywhere. I used to know of a fellow that lived in a patch of woods behind the old Ebb Tide, now the CVS pharmacy. He was harmless and homeless. He had a job and a pet and a bike, he didnt have a house to live in. He made himself a makeshift shelter in the woods after he lost his boat he used to live on. That was about 15 years ago. Point is, the homeless are already wandering our streets. Having a shelter will not make it worse. Lainey... how can you continue to say that the shelter has been in this location for years? Please re-read over the previous three pages of this thread and come back and explain how this is a fact... The home on State Street today is a 1200 sq ft transitional home. A transitional home is for folks that are unable to provide the resources needed to obtain shelter on their own, but they must secure and maintain a job, and work with a case worker from Haven Ministries. THE HOMELESS SHELTER that is coming to State STreet will be 8,632 square feet and is equipped with approximately 30 beds for use as a HOMELESS SHELTER where they are only allowed to stay from the hours of 7pm to 7am. Not simply just the transitional home use that's been there for the past 4 years. It's different. It's changing. It's not the same! The fear that crime can increase with this change of operation is legitimate. Stop trying to tell people it's nothing different than what's been there for four years. We all should go to the Town Hall and learn for ourselves!
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Post by Workingman on Aug 6, 2014 14:22:47 GMT -4
Lainey, Thank you for the information. I thought the house on State Street was a Transition home? Is there another shelter on State Street?
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Aug 6, 2014 14:23:34 GMT -4
Lainey, Thank you for the information. I thought the house on State Street was a Transition home? Is there another shelter n State Street? Great question directed to Lainey... I'll be looking forward to her answer.
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Post by bols43 on Aug 6, 2014 14:45:38 GMT -4
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Post by OscarsDad4 on Aug 6, 2014 14:52:50 GMT -4
Put the shelter next to Krista's house or Wanda Shephard's. Build it next to Queen Annes County City Hall. Queen Annes county has 183 Homeless? HOW MANY HOMELESS PEOPLE LIVE IN STEVENSVILLE? / BUILD THE HOMELESS SHELTER IN CENTREVILLE. BUILD IT AS BIG AS YOU WANT IN CENTREVILLE. USE KRISTA'S HOUSE. Krista can come to work with me for a day in D.C.I moved out of D.C. to live here, but commute there to get away from this B.S. Come to the town hall!!!
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Post by bols43 on Aug 6, 2014 14:54:18 GMT -4
I HOPE I CAN PAY MORE TAXES FOR THESE HOMELESS, WE CANT EVEN GET SALT ON OUR ROADS IN THE WINTER TIME. AWESOME IDEA NEXT TO A HIGH SCHOOL,PARK,TRAIL. I WILL PAY FOR ALL QUEENS ANNES COUNTY HOMELESS TO MOVE TO D.C. THERE THEY HAVE 52 AGENCIES FEEDING, CLOTHING, AND PROVIDING SHELTER. SHUT IT DOWN.
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Post by bols43 on Aug 6, 2014 14:59:15 GMT -4
CANT WAIT FOR THE TOWN HALL MEETING, EVERYONE WILL PREACH ABOUT GOD AND HELPING HOMELESS. LIKE I SAID, BUILD THEM A MANSION, FEED THEM, LET THEM DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. PROVIDE ANYTHING THEY WANT. JUST DO IT IN CENTREVILLE.
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