A coalition is coming together in Benton Harbor to find ways of helping the homeless population.
Speaking to city commissioners this week, the Reverend Andre Palmer of Bethel Christian Restoration Center said he hosted a forum last month featuring community stakeholders to begin addressing the problem.
“We had about 80 to 100 people there, and we were just trying to figure out and have the goal of how we could best serve members of our community who are unhoused, especially in a way that we will provide shelter to them throughout the winter months and not leave them outside,” Palmer said.
Palmer said fellow clergy, non-profits, and the city’s ad hoc committee are working together to help make that happen.
The discussions all began when City Manager Alex Little last month requested funds to set up a place for the homeless to congregate on Pipestone Street so they’d no longer hang around Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park. But Palmer said doing something better for the homeless will require more than picnic tables and porta potties.
“That will require some financial resources from the city. Perhaps the funding that was intended to be requested to provide picnic tables can be allocated to this. We also have a few local funders who expressed willingness to support as well.”
At Palmer’s forum, ideas pitched for helping the homeless included establishing a resource center and the Salvation Army setting up more beds in its shelter.
Palmer said Monday he looks forward to working with commissioners on a plan.
