On Wednesday, when the Heart of Texas Angel Alliance met to determine the next step, the tasks had only multiplied. However, none are waivering in their mission - finding shelter residents better places to live and opportunities to lead more productive lives.
“The shelter residents who are coming in today to finish up their paperwork are so grateful for what is being done for them,” said Judy Morales, director of the Temple HELP Center and a member of the Heart of Temple Angels Alliance.
On June 1, the city’s Building and Standards Commission ordered the 25-year-old homeless shelter to close its thrift store, kitchen, food pantry and men’s dorm by June 8. Problems the city had with the agency’s structures included electrical, plumbing, structural and safety issues, health conditions and sanitary conditions in the kitchen and restroom areas.
On Friday, the shelter received a reprieve when 169th Bell County District Court Judge Gordon G. Adams granted a temporary restraining order against the city. A hearing will be held Monday to determine whether to proceed with the closure.
There’s no doubt much had been accomplished by the alliance, and the Wednesday meeting gave members an opportunity to revisit what had been done.
Sara Liles, with the Section 8 housing division of the Central Texas Council of Government, had pulled together statistics about the shelter residents who had been served last week:
-- 72 individuals had sought assistance, 68 were shelter residents
-- 59, or 76 percent, of the shelter residents returned for a second appointment
-- 35 of the residents seeking help were veterans
-- Length of time in the shelter ranged from one month to 18 years
-- 47 percent of the residents had some form of income
-- 33, or 49 percent, of the shelter residents are going into permanent housing
-- Ages of the shelter residents ranged from 22 to 81
-- Two are Temple College students
-- Preliminary expenditures by the agencies in the past week is $26,200
The alliance also talked about problems the shelter residents are facing.
One of the hurdles shelter residents, who have been approved for Section 8 housing, were facing was coming up with electric utility deposits, which can go as high as $700.
One utility company was identified as requiring no deposit and Esther Roquez, with the HELP Center, said those with medical disabilities could get indigent waivers.
Liles said that as they counseled the men, they talked to them about their responsibilities as tenants.
“We don’t want to set them up to fail, but they need to know the basics,” she said. “We had to ask if they would be able to function in their own apartment, would they be able to pay their bills, could they keep it clean, would they lock their doors and change smoke alarm batteries.”
Denna Belk, director of Section 8 housing division of CTCOG, warned that without some form of case management, the majority would not be able to stay in the homes and the housing division was not set up to offer that type of support.
“These people need to be followed for at least the next six months so they don’t fail,” Belk said.
Ann Thompson, executive director of the United Way of Central Texas, urged the group to move beyond any issues with the shelter management, but look at what has to be done to best serve the residents.
“On June 2, Angels in Action went into effect,” said Dr. Sue Hamby. “Now Operation Angels in Action will continue to offer services for residents who did not meet with the agencies last week.”
The Salvation Army has been providing sack lunches and dinners at Martha’s Kitchen once a month for two years. When the kitchen facilities close at the shelter, the Salvation Amy will provide a continental breakfast, hot lunch and light dinner and snacks at Jones Park for an extended period of time.
Housing assistance will still be available and referrals to other shelters will continue. The HELP Center will continue to provide financial assistance with first month’s rent, rental deposit, water deposit, and gas and bus tickets.
Three members of Eighth Street Baptist Church - Roscoe Harrison, Sandra Harris and Evelyn Cockrell - attended the meeting wanting to help the effort.
“We want to help, but we don’t know what you need,” said Cockrell.
It’s too soon to determine what the church can do, but Morales promised the alliance would be in contact with the group.
As this process moves forward, Thompson said, the United Way doesn’t want to duplicate services.
“We want to see what’s in place . . . determine what group provides services to the different population,” she said.
Community involvement will have to play a role as this effort moves forward. The cost of maintaining a shelter will require a sizeable amount of funding.
Capt. Martha Burchette with the Salvation Army said it would cost at least $200,000 to provide the bare minimum - overhead and food. It does not include the building, staff or any quality program and services.
The alliance will meet again later in the month.
