Proposal for day shelter at West Side church receives backlash

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — A community is at odds after a proposal to transform part of a church on the West Side of Charleston into a day shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

A group wants a chunk of the city's American Rescue Plan funding to make their plan happen. More than a dozen businesses are raising concerns about the location and why they were not made aware of the idea sooner. Many people are sending letters demanding the proposal be reconsidered, saying they worry that the shelter could scare off customers and new businesses from opening.

A community meeting was held on Sunday where business owners, community members, teachers, and others voiced their concerns.

The Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (RCCR) asked for nearly $1.5 million of the city's $37 million in ARP funding to create a day shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The group is looking to operate in the Hubbard Building, a space inside the Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church on West Washington Street in Elk City.

The funding application reveals the shelter would provide several things like transportation, help with housing and a residential recovery program. People would also have access to food, clothing, showers, laundry and other services.

The group also listed its goals: to provide a safe place, increase connections and help those recover from homelessness and addiction.

The city's ARPA committee recommended giving the project half a million dollars. The full council will make the final vote at a later date.

The current intended location of the day shelter is drawing a lot of concern. Inside the church is a preschool, plus restaurants, bars, stores, and houses are within walking distance.

Local business owners Patrick Pelley of Books and Brews and Phil Melick of Elk City Records signed off on a six-page letter to the mayor, city council members, Bream and the RCCR outlining their concerns over the project's lack of transparency and community input.

A portion of the letter that read, "What has been presented to the ARPA committee is a hastily and poor conceived project borne of congregational anxiety and desire for financial assistance, with inadequate consideration of interests of those affected at and around the church."

On Tuesday, the mayor's office received another letter with the signatures of 36 other people and businesses recommending the city relocate the money to "other projects that were better thought."

The city received more than 50 applications, another from RCCR, the largest funding request. It wants $3,556,624.59 to build the transitional low-barrier shelter and staff it for four years. The committee meets again on Wednesday.

Eyewitness News reached out to Bream, and the church did not return any calls. RCCR's Executive Director Kevin Jones said his group plans to issue a statement.