Raleigh City Council approves homeless outreach expansion
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Raleigh City Council got a standing ovation inside a packed chamber Tuesday afternoon when members voted unanimously to move the Oak City Outreach Center to a larger facility in downtown Raleigh.
Council members authorized $3.1 million to secure the new permanent site at a warehouse on S. Wilmington Street.
The $7 million project now goes to Wake County commissioners for final approval.
The Oak City Outreach Center was formed in June 2014 as a partnership between the city, county, and local charities after police began enforcing an old policy that prevented people from handing out in Moore Square.
Workers have provided more than 190,000 meals to the homeless at a temporary location on Person Street.
"We've definitely outgrown the space and used it to its fullest capacity," said Shana Overdorf, Exec. Dir. of Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness.
Supporters say the new multi-services center, which will offer everything from laundry facilities to counseling, will be critical for ending homelessness in Wake County more efficiently.
"We're going to be able to provide more than food for folks. We're going to be able to provide services for people that are really going to help people move out of homelessness," said Rick Miller-Haraway of Catholic Charities.
Fenton Jolly knows what it's like to be without permanent housing.
After finding support services at non-profit Love Wins Ministries three years ago, he said the new facility is the solution many of his homeless friends are still looking for.
"They can't sit at McDonald's or they can't sit in the Marriott Hotel or the Sheraton so now at least they've got a place where they can go to where they can feel loved," he said.
The new center will be able to provide services to 75-100 people per day.
Overdorf calls it a turning point for the city in its fight to end homelessness.
"I think people believe that we'll bring homelessness into a community, but the reality is homelessness is already here in Raleigh and Wake County," she said.
County commissioners are set to vote on the project next month.
It could be another year and a half before the space opens to the public.
