Controversy over location of Harvey County homeless shelter

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June 14, 2012|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(NEWTON, Kan.) — The Harvey County homeless shelter is planning on building a new facility. But residents who live near the proposed site say it's not a good idea to build it in such a residential area.

The McKinley Historic District in Newton is filled with large houses, playgrounds and dog walkers.

“There are a lot of young children and it’s a main walking path for the schools that are just a mile away,” said resident Tina A. Williams.

The last thing residents expected is a homeless shelter but that's exactly what could happen in an empty lot in the middle of the historic, residential neighborhood.

“The bottom line is a residential neighborhood is not an appropriate spot for a homeless shelter,” Williams said.

Many feel the same way. The Harvey County Homeless Shelter is currently in a run down building located in downtown newton.

According to its website, the new building will provide more room and a secure place for people who need it but residents say it will make their neighborhood dangerous.

“I’m worried about the safety, the increase in crime, loitering and decrease in property value,” said Williams.

Harvey County Homeless Shelter officials declined an interview but sent us a statement that says “We have no immediate plans. The soonest we could possibly build would be 2014.”

Here is the statement from the Harvey County Shelter website:

"The shelter is planning to build a new facility. We have been working on this behind the scenes for several months, and are making great progress, though it may not be seen. We are working with an architect - which means we have no published plans. We are surveying the land - which means it’s sitting there being looked at. We have not started a Fundraising Campaign, but have accepted donations toward the building, and have many of the materials pledged already."

The shelter says it plans to meet with people living in the area to address any concerns they might have.

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