CROSS proposes North Main homeless shelter

from the Shelbyville Times Gazette

By John I. Carney

A house and lot at 262 North Main St., jointly owned by the city and county, may become a volunteer-run homeless shelter and child care center, using surplus Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers which have been cleared following a recent formaldehyde scare.

Carl Bailey appeared before Bedford County Board of Commissioners' courthouse and county property committee on Tuesday to discuss his proposal for Community Religious Outreach Social Services and request the use of the house.

The committee voted to pass the request on to the full commission, but wants to make sure that any lease agreement holds the county harmless from liability arising from the use of the property.

Bailey said the current economic conditions and a decline in charitable giving and social service agency budgets have made it more difficult to respond to individuals and families in need. He said CROSS will be a way for the county's faith community to come together and meet such needs.

Bailey said the shelter would house homeless families for up to 30 days and would provide child care for up to 90 days, so that even after a family moved out of the shelter they could use the child care facility while establishing themselves in new jobs or living quarters.

Bailey said the lack of affordable low-income child care is a major contributor to poverty. There would be one paid employee, but the facility would be primarily operated by volunteers and financial contributions from area churches. Bailey has been discussing a funding formula with area churches based on a specific amount per church member per month.

Bailey said he is not asking for any financial support from city or county government -- both of which are expecting budget cuts in the current year. His written proposal indicates that city and county funding would be "limited to assistance with fixed operating costs, i.e., insurance, utilities and facility maintenance," but he told the Times-Gazette on Wednesday that the written proposal was out of date and that he was no longer planning to ask for government financial support for those issues. Instead, that would become a part of the budget to be funded by church contributions.

Bailey said a board of community leaders is now being assembled so that the group can organize.

Link to full article. May expire in future.