Two residents of the 10th & Page neighborhood where the Hope Community Center is located urged councilors Monday night to take a closer look at the homeless shelter in the residential neighborhood. The community center, which acts as a shelter for the homeless during the night, was cited for a zoning violation in February for running a shelter in a residential neighborhood. On April 17, the city ruled that Hope could continue to run the shelter while it applies for a zoning amendment.
John Gaines, a resident of 9th Street NW, said residents need answers to questions concerning safety and property values. Another resident said that he would willingly pay higher taxes for a shelter that is located in a commercial area.
 Councilor Holly Edwards acknowledged that the city is now beginning to take a hard look at the many facets of its homeless problem. “We haven’t talked about homelessness in a way that’s been comprehensive,” she said. |