Columbia Emergency Homeless Shelter Passes

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C., —

The move to open a 24 hour homeless shelter in the Arsenal Hills area of the city passes unanimously during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Several people got up to speak about the proposal to open a location that will help those living on the streets get a little help as they transition from homelessness to hope.

Some of the speakers included business leaders, city officials and even some citizens who are currently living on the street. While a majority of the people who attended a standing room only meeting were in favor of the measure , there were still various looming questions concerning the details. 

Some wondered how residents who stayed at the shelter would eat, since the location does not have a kitchen, how the residents would be transported back and forth from the area, how long they would be able to stay at the emergency facility and most importantly, since the city can not force those on the street to go, what would motivate them to want to be there.

More adjustments still need to be made to the contract and will address many of those issues. City council members are scheduled to discuss the issue again during their next council meeting. As for the shelter along Laurel Street, it is set to open to the public September 24th.