Updated at end with additional comments from Austin.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Conversation about plans for expanded homelessness outreach services downtown continued Tuesday night when the proposal went before the Clarksville City Council.
The proposal is for the city to purchase The Well outreach center, using grant funding, and hand over operations to Clarksville Urban Ministries. During a public meeting on Friday, the crowd was divided on the issue, and that was no different at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
How the plan came about
According to previous reports, this process has been three years in the making, as all parties involved had been on the lookout for a building that can be designated for serving Clarksville’s homeless population. That search ended when they discussed the idea of moving into The Well.
Urban Ministries Executive Director Jodi McBryant said she reached out to Jeff Shocklee, director of The Well, operated by Trenton Crossing Church of Christ, to see if they would be interested in working out a partnership. As conversations progressed, The Well agreed to sell the building.
The Well property was appraised at $1.28 million, but the proposition is for the city, using Community Block Grant funds, to purchase it for $750,000.
What’s planned for outreach services
Currently, the plan is to add laundry facilities, showers and ADA-accessible bathrooms to the building, at 224 Union St. on the south side of downtown, while also expanding services already offered, including meals and community support.
The plan also includes moving the emergency warming shelter, run by Urban Ministries, from Madison Street United Methodist Church to The Well. It will operate just like their current emergency warming shelter; however, it will also be open during extreme heat, tornado conditions and flooding events, according to previous reports. The Well would also become the home of the Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Program.
As outlined in the city’s zoning code, a clear code of conduct will be expected, which includes prohibiting alcohol, drugs, weapons, violence, loitering, trespassing and littering in surrounding neighborhoods.
Wanting to hear more from general public
City Neighborhood and Community Services Director Michelle Austin, speaking to the City Council on Tuesday, addressed questions about timing and deadlines. She said that whether the council votes yes or no, the problem doesn’t go away.
“I’m all for, as the old football coaches used to say, ‘Let’s back up and punt and take a breath.’ This was kind of quick, I’ll admit that,” Councilman Tim Chandler said. “The meeting Friday night was great, but I would still like to hear more from, and I’m not belittling the business owners downtown at all, but I would like to hear more from the general citizens of the city and see what they think, too.”
He said homelessness in Clarksville has been a problem for years, and he agreed it will have to be addressed regardless of the outcome of the vote coming up Thursday.
‘The location is the problem’
Councilperson Wanda Smith asked Austin how much the city receives annually in the Community Block Grant fund from the federal government. Austin said just over $1 million, but that does not include home funding, as well as some other grants the city applies for.
Smith said while she and her constituents are all for addressing homelessness, they have a shared concern on the location and asked why it can’t be moved to another neighborhood.
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Austin said the reason they’ve proposed The Well is because services that are already provided in that area of downtown will be consolidated. “The Well is already providing hot meals in the evening, church service, and food and clothing distribution. The (emergency) warming shelter is held at Madison Street United Methodist Church, which is two blocks over.
“So, we’re just moving all of those that are already happening in the downtown area to one central location and expanding our case management on that site and our hours of operation, so we can have more oversight.”
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Smith asked how many temporary beds would be in place for the emergency shelter, and Austin said that would have to be determined when they do the walk-through with the fire marshal and Codes Department. McBryant previously said she estimates the shelter would operate with 50 temporary cots, with the ability to possibly house 60 if conditions worsen.
Smith asked about hours of operation, and Austin said that will be a part of the final lease agreement and service agreement.
‘How would it not increase the homeless population?’
Councilperson Travis Holleman said the more services and benefits provided to the homeless, the more homeless you will have. He asked Austin how would it not increase the homeless population.
Austin said she has not seen any data supporting his claims and asked him to send over any references that he does have. She also said, “We will be working individually with people through their recovery, so they are able to be more self-sufficient and be active members of our community.”
Current operations at The Well
Councilperson Deanna McLaughlin asked Austin to expand on the current operations at The Well.
“They have hot meals twice a week, I believe it’s Monday and Wednesday,” Austin said. “During those hot meals, they have over 100 people who come to those meals. That, of course, is our unhoused it the downtown area. It’s also some seniors, some families – the doors are open for anyone seeking a hot meal.”
Austin said The Well also has a clothing distribution day with an extensive closet in their basement, and church is open on Sundays.
Homeless encampments and getting people help they need
McLaughlin said the reason she asked is because there have been several homeless encampments over the years, and as property owners discover them, the city’s Police Department goes out to move them, and then they end up on somebody else’s property. “Then Building & Codes has to go clean up the mess. It’s not good conditions,” she said.
McLaughlin asked if and when there are expanded hours at The Well or another location, will the hours accommodate police being able to relocate the homeless they come across and get them the help they need.
Austin said that currently the city does not have a 24/7 shelter, so there’s not always going to be a place for them. “But, in those situations we do want them connected with a provider who can navigate with them to see what some of their options are,” Austin said. “Urban Ministries has what they call the ‘shelter phone,’ which is their 24/7 hotline. So, that would still be in effect, even if the (emergency) weather shelter is not open.
In a statement on Wednesday, Austin added: “I want to be clear about what this ordinance does, and what it does not do. This ordinance does not establish a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week homeless shelter. It does not introduce a new population into downtown. And it does not replace the longer-range work my office is doing with The Canopy and other community nonprofit partners to plan for a comprehensive 24/7 shelter with wraparound services,” she said.
McLaughlin said she would like to postpone the vote on the proposal to give people more time to gather information and discuss the matter.
What’s next
The Clarksville City Council will meet next Thursday, Jan. 8, with a vote on the proposal on the agenda.
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