Pueblo to host public forum on homeless shelter issues
People in Pueblo are invited to attend another public forum on the homeless issues arising in the city. The goal of the meeting is to get a better idea of what locals believe needs to be done.
The Pueblo Human Relation Commission is hosting the event Wednesday night, starting at 6 p.m. at the Rawlings Library. The discussion will deal with the declining availability of certain services for homeless in Pueblo, including shelter, housing, medical resources and food.
A panel of non-profit leaders are set to speak, as well as Pueblo city council member Mark Aliff. Aliff, who held multiple public meetings in May on the subject, will present his findings and his own plans for dealing with the problem.
This includes plans for a new warming shelter, or what he calls a campus. On this campus both people who are going through a transition and the chronic homeless could stay for an extended period of time. The plan also lays out a number of the priorities the city of Pueblo should take action on. This includes starting a work program, authorizing bus passes to help with employment, and developing a public service campaign.
The last shelter in the city, located on 13th street, closed its doors back in May. City council approved for Aliff to search for properties where the future shelter could be built at a meeting on Monday.
“This by no means solves the problem but it addresses the crisis we are in right now as a community,” said Councilman Aliff. “The important part is providing the services that any human deserves.”
“There is no shelter for those that are homeless right now and we just have a few months before the cold season,” said Linda Bunyard of the Pueblo Human Relations Commission.
Bunyard says now is the time for action, and is asking for the public to help support Aliff’s proposition. That’s why she and the rest of the commission is hosting Wednesday’s forum.
“Councilman Aliff’s listening report jus came out and this is an opportunity to hear him and interact with him.”
Aliff’s estimation predict the cost acquiring the land for a new shelter could cost from $400,000 to $2.5 million, remodeling would cost the city $500,000 alone. Aliff believes the people of Pueblo will support his solution to the shelter problem in Pueblo because he says it is the right thing to do.
“As humans we have an obligation to reach out and give a hand to those that are in need,” said Aliff. “If that’s buying a piece of property to create a campus to help the homeless in this community, that’s what we need to do.”
Those that attend Wednesday’s forum will be allowed to ask questions of the presenters as well and make statements themselves.
