Neighbors Share Concerns, Frustrations About Homeless Shelter
The Hebron House's overflow center hosted a meeting to get input from neighbors Saturday morning.
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The Hebron House of Hospitality's overflow shelter on Northview Road hosted a meeting for neighbors to voice their concerns about the shelter and its impact on the community Saturday morning.
The meeting was standing room only and attended by Aldermen Paul Ybarra and Mayor Jeff Scrima, as well as police.
Among the chief concerns neighbors had were:
- Trespassing
- Decreased property value
- Safety
- Cars parked on street
- Criminal activity
While the organizers said the meeting was intended to address specific problems created by the residents, the conversation quickly turned to general opposition to the shelter.
"It sucks," said Tiffany Goodson, who has lived in the neighborhood for two years. "If I would have known it was going to be here, I wouldn't have purchased my home. We're neighbors now to a bunch of homeless people, not that they're all bad, but we don't want them."
While the majority in attendance had issues with the shelter being in their neighborhood, some saw no problem.
"You can't shoot something down on the happenstance that there might be a bad seed in the group," said Lee Haessig, who lives two blocks from the shelter. "If they need a place to stay temporarily, I can live with it. I just don't see it being that big of a deal."
Many in attendance expressed dissatisfaction at their lack say in the situation.
The shelter is located in a properly zoned area, because of this there is no law preventing them from operating or forcing them to move.
"There's nothing we can legally do to prevent them from being here," Scrima said. "Nor should we."
Officer Jay Carpenter said since the overflow shelter opened in December, there have been 15 calls to the police related to the shelter. Six of which pertained to one individual, who has since been arrested. Several more were related to cars parked overnight, and people walking on the sidewalks.
Police Chief Russell Jack said that the shelter has been extremely cooperative since calls began coming in.
The shelter recently installed a doorbell to ensure residents can get in when they need to, and starting Monday will offer a shuttle bus to the Hope Center where residents can spend the daylight hours.
The idea is that providing the residents with a quick way to enter the shelter, and transportation to and from the meal sites will cut down on people walking through the neighborhood.
Police also do nightly walk-throughs to establish a presence and make sure everything is safe, and have added a night parking enforcement officer to the area.
Executive Director of the Hebron House Bernie Juno said that since opening, the overflow shelter has housed 69 residents, with an average age of 42 and average income of $9,096.
The shelter will remain open until April and will open yearly in November as long as there is a need, Juno said.
Eugenia Woolenziehn
6:14 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2011
I agree... This should NOT be the place. How can they sell the building with this going on???? Our property values are sinking so fast as it is and with this.. No one will buy anything around this neighborhood. Not to mention we have Huber too. Stop the crazyness!!
Danielle
9:55 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2011
It disgusts me that these folks act like people who are homeless are worthless. They do nothing to help those who are homeless and whine about those that do. Shame on you. You don't know why they are homeless, do not judge them!!!
Tara
6:00 am on Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wow. Some people are really terrible. I hope these better-than- thou neighbors never have a flood, fire, or other tragedy in their home... and if they do, I hope they have at least 6 months salary at their disposal... lest they may quickly turn in to those they hold such distaste for. There are felons, people who have committed violent acts, and even sex offenders near by... but let us turn our noses up at the people who are trying to recover from some sort of tragedy (or string of tragedies) in their lives. Good Lord, calling the police because someone is walking on the sidewalk?! Parked cars? I don't want these particular home owners as my neighbors, they sound like trouble makers. God forbid if one of my children lost a ball in their yard.
Phil Scarr
10:14 am on Sunday, January 30, 2011
I'm disgusted but not surprised by the reaction. NIMBY is common in uber-conservative communities like Waukesha. They don't like to see the consequences of the social and fiscal policies that are pillars of their misguided faith. But it's good for this community to experience the reality of these policies. Maybe they'll change their minds. But I doubt it.
Melissa
8:31 pm on Sunday, January 30, 2011
I used to live in that area. Believe me having the homeless in the neighborhood would have been more welcome than the drug dealers and gang members I had dealt with. Does everyone need reminding the Lord helped everyone, did not judge, and provided. We are the people that are to be the Lord's hands....if these people were truly acting as the Lord would have us do, there would not be an issue.
Jerry Oven
9:47 pm on Sunday, January 30, 2011
They forget that there is a Huber facility just down the road. Has that affected property value? It's always easy to sweep the problem under the rug and hope that they will go somewhere else. How about when that old Northview school building falls apart. At least having a shelter there will keep the building up and running.
Come on Waukesha, lets help!
Mike Miller
9:52 pm on Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thank you Hebron House and Bernie Juno for all she has done for these less fortunate people. I pray that the neighbors who are opposed to the shelter come to understand that most of these folks are not homeless by choice and that we all have an obligation to help our fellow man. And yes, I would accept a shelter in my neighborhood and I would volunteer there also!
Mike
6:53 am on Monday, January 31, 2011
Uber-conservative Waukesha? Please check the city's citizens voting records. That aside I drive past there every day and was unaware the shelter had already opened.
Mike
6:53 am on Monday, January 31, 2011
Uber-conservative Waukesha? Please check the city's citizens voting records. That aside I drive past there every day and was unaware the shelter had already opened. Hi
Laura
8:31 pm on Monday, January 31, 2011
Matthew 25:37-40
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Justan Observer
8:58 pm on Monday, January 31, 2011
I agree with most who feel compassion for these people. I especially agree with Melissa's comment regarding drug trafficking and constant presence of wanna be gang bangers. Those who oppose this shelter should be grateful for not being in the position of being homeless.
One should realize, many of us are - a loss of a job away - from being without shelter.
Get used to these facilities because the rate of unemployment is rising to levels much higher than your local news channel, or your urinal sentinal are reporting. Check out the numbers on foreclosed homes in 2010 or the forcast for 2011. I only hope that there is some place for you or I to seek shelter when the need arises.
I do have concerns regarding the annual income, which seems to amount to about an SSI check per month. We need to put in place programs for these individuals to eventually get of the system.
Jan Getz
10:35 am on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I live in the neighborhood and personally have no complaint. We have to help people regardless of what some perceive as lowered "property values" and trouble. However, the real need is in the lack of work for untrained or uneducated folks. If we could have these people gainfully employed, there would perhaps be no need for homeless shelters or other "handouts". All the energy that goes into griping about it, should be put to use in solving our unemployment issues.
Patricia Zink
11:45 am on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
There but for the grace of God, go I. Wake up everybody.
Lisa
7:18 am on Saturday, February 5, 2011
If people don't think the homeless people should be there then if you have an extra couch or bed why don't you take them in?!? Not all homeless people are bad. It could happen to anyone you know! The other poster was right, most people don't have 6 months of income set aside.