GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Greensboro center for people experiencing homelessness is scaling back operation hours, the change comes after the city requested it come up with a plan to address violence.
24/7 services at the Interactive Resource Center was a pilot program, it started at the beginning of this year. The IRC said it was originally created for those who had nowhere else to go, instead it turned out to be a normal place for people to sleep, which was never the intention.
"I do think it helped in a lot of ways, but unfortunately it was meant to be something for crisis, and it was becoming something of a standard of a place for people to stay every night that really isn't how a drop-in center is designed," said IRC Executive Director, Kristina Singleton.
A few months after the Interactive Resource Center expanded to 24/7 service, the city noticed a surge in people calling 911 to the center. Since then, residents and leaders have brought up concerns about safety, violence, and littering. As a result, the city asked the center to come up with solutions.
"We talked to them about cameras and metal detectors and that just isn't something that they wanted to entertain. Now they did put cameras on the exterior, I want to be clear about that, but I felt like we were coming up with solutions and they were just coming up with reasons on why they wouldn't work. I don't know that we got solutions in return," explained Greensboro Mayor, Nancy Vaughan.
Ultimately, the IRC made the decision to return to the day center model come November 1st. This leaves people needing a place to stay at night. Mayor Vaughan said city and county leaders are in discussions with faith leaders to see if churches can open for those who need it.
The Doorway Program, known for the pallet homes is expanding this year. The IRC said it will include 83 beds up from 56 the year before to keep the most vulnerable out of the cold.