Homelessness Task Force forms

It's the classic conundrum of a short-term Band-Aid versus a long-term solution. In the case of those who find themselves homeless, it's the difference between a place to sleep at night and rehabilitation programs. It's "fixing" versus preparing.

So what's a community to do?

Pastors, social service workers and business owners gathered in Collegedale with the East Hamilton Ministerial Association to try to answer that question. Homelessness in Hamilton County is a solvable issue, said Ooltewah United Methodist Church's Eric Light, but it takes a concerted effort. And it's an issue the group of 20 or so community members is dedicated to fixing.

"We're coming together here to explore solutions to this need," he said. "We're going to get it done with small steps and the help of others."

Around the table, representatives shared their thoughts about the homelessness they see in the area. Beyond someone standing on a corner with a cardboard sign, homelessness can affect anyone, and the public may never see it, said Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition Executive Director Steven Wright.

"They just want a place to sleep at night and a place to feel safe," he said. "But there are just pieces missing."

There's the absence of a comprehensive homeless shelter in Chattanooga to start, he said. And following that, there's a shortage of affordable housing for those trying to transition out of homelessness.

"There's no housing for someone who is making minimum wage," said Sharon Smith-Hensley, with the Samaritan Center. "It's so difficult to move on from that."

Members of the group said an effort to support the homeless community is possible, in spite of the lack of government funding. Regis Wilson with the Hamilton Anglican Fellowship thinks the Christian community - many churches - could easily build, fund and operate a homeless shelter.

"Let's be Christian and start reaching back out into the community," he said. "Let's get back to really taking care of our neighbors."

But before the group left the table with even an inkling of what they could do about the issue of homelessness in the area, they identified a few priorities. First, a tangible resource for churches and groups to use to help the homeless. Second, a heightened effort to involve community stakeholders in the initiative.

The group will continue to meet every other month to discuss further plans.

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