The Salvation Army, one of the agencies looking into starting a shelter, is conducting a feasibility study to determine Temple’s need and desire for a homeless shelter. Capt. Martha Burchett said the study will “take the pulse” of the community. It will determine whether Temple’s residents are willing and able to support a shelter.
Dr. Sue Hamby, a Temple businesswoman, said any new shelter should be a transitional place that provides training for those who are in need.
The city’s Building and Standards Commission decided Monday to shut down three buildings operated by Martha’s Kitchen, including the male dormitory, furniture store and thrift shop. The commission cited code violations, safety and sanitary concerns.
Martha’s Kitchen director Ray Severn said earlier in the week the agency is in the process of filing an appeal in district court to allow the buildings to remain open “so that 80 or more people don’t end up out on the streets next week.”
Eleanor Herrera of the Salvation Army said the city’s need for a shelter is not only for the city’s homeless. Some travelers need a safe place to stay if they find themselves in a difficult situation.
“People in a shelter are sometimes from out of town,” Herrera said. “Their car breaks down and it’s either fix the car or rent a motel. They need a safe place to stay for the night.”
Judy Morales, director of the Temple HELP Center and a member of the Heart of Temple Angels Alliance, agrees that the city needs a shelter, but a safe transitional shelter for people in the long term.
For now, agencies like Heart of Temple Angels are trying to identify available shelters for people displaced by the closure.
Hamby said the possible closure of Martha’s Kitchen and the agencies that have responded have taught her about her community.
“This proves this is a caring community,” she said. “These agencies have an absolute passion for helping others.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, 40 people had been interviewed and help will be provided for all of them, Morales said.
The city of Temple helps fund the local service agencies that provide aid, such as housing, city spokeswoman Shannon Gowan said.
“Our job is to be regulatory in nature,” she said. “We provide funding for a number of public service agencies, and direct people who are having trouble to them.”
Last year, the city gave out about $426,000 to 19 different agencies, including the Temple HELP Center, which was awarded $50,000, and assists residents who may qualify for low-income housing.
nyaqoub@temple-telegram.com
