GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) -- Greensboro city leaders are making a significant move to support the unhoused population.
The plan calls to extend the amount of time temporary pallet homes stay up. Due to unanimous support from the city council, they will now be used this summer.
The big thing th
at comes with this expansion is the relocation of the pallet homes from where they currently sit in Pomona Park.
Early next month, the city will move its 30 pallet shelters to the site of the former Regency Inn on North O. Henry Boulevard.
“We recognize that people need to have shelter not just in the wintertime,” Greensboro Director of Office of Community Safety Latisha McNeil said.
Greensboro city leaders said the expansion of the pallet shelters and the relocation to the former Regency Inn site ensures that those experiencing homelessness continue to have access to shelter even as temperatures rise.
While they may be moving the shelters, the Interactive Resource Center will continue to serve the residents.
“It really is an opportunity for us to continue having the service coordination because the goal of this is ... to provide shelter for individuals but also make sure that they're connected with resources so that we can help them to get permanent housing services,” McNeil said.
The move is required.
“Pallet homes can only last in one area six months,” Greensboro City Councilmember for District 3 Zack Matheny said.
Since opening, the 30, two-person pallet homes have stayed nearly full. There’s evidence it’s working. Around 17 residents have found permanent housing.
The city is backing the expansion with $570,950. Matheny said that while he was skeptical of the project at first, he now sees its impact.
“We've talked about the pallet home for a few years now ... I didn't support it originally, and now it looks like it has definitely been successful, and so I'm glad it's successful,” Matheny said.
Moving the pallet shelters to the former Regency Inn site will happen in the second week of April.
The relocation is temporary and will not affect the city’s long-term plans for redeveloping the former Regency Inn site. ...read more read less
