Cape Cod locals are raising their voices against a proposal to situate a homeless shelter just 150 yards from an elementary school. Concerns are mounting over the possibility that shelter occupants would be required to vacate the premises each morning precisely as children begin arriving at school.
In a recent meeting held on May 6, the Barnstable School Committee decided to express their unease formally. They voted to send a letter addressing the proposed relocation of the St. Joseph’s House homeless shelter in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The new location is a mere five-minute walk from a local elementary school, as reported by the Cape Cod Times.
The plan, orchestrated by Housing Assistance Corporation and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, has sparked concerns among residents. The primary issue is that the shelter’s residents might be compelled to leave the facility at 7 a.m., coinciding with the time when elementary students are making their way to school.
“The individuals are being made to leave each day precisely when schools are bustling and businesses are open. It’s not going to be any more effective here than it was before,” stated Town Councilor Betty Ludtke in an interview with Boston 25.
The current St. Joseph’s House is located on Winter Street in Hyannis. (Cape Cod Times-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn images)
Rick Brigham, who has worked at the St. Joseph’s House for 27 years, shares the same concerns regarding the shelter’s proximity to an elementary school.
“They’re out on the street trying to survive,” Brigham said. “It’s not only problematic for the community, the business owners, the residents, it’s problematic for the neighbors in need.”
Rick Brigham, left, John and Stacey Kimball say the move of St. Joseph’s Home relocation to West Main Street would negatively impact that area. (Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“The impact is tremendous, but there’s a different way to do this,” Brigham added.
John Kimball, who owns Steve Sue’s Par-Tee Freeze on Hyannis’ Main Street, also shared his concerns about the homeless shelter opening across the street from his business.
“My job is to make people happy, and we have the mini golf, and we have the ice cream, what better environment to make people happy in?” Kimball said. “I worry about not only the business. I mean, that’s how it all started, but then you start getting into and understanding the program, and I start getting concerned for the area.”
Notably, Hyannis is where former President John F. Kennedy had a house and was dubbed the “Summer White House.”
Even though zoning laws don’t allow for the creation of a homeless shelter in the area where plans are underway for construction, the groups behind the effort obtained a building permit.
Ludtke said the groups were able to work around the zoning laws because of a religious exemption.
Hyannis is the largest of the seven villages in the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, in the United States. (DenisTangeyJr/Getty Images)
The Housing Assistance Corporation and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, that are behind the relocation effort, tried to address community concerns in a statement.
“We understand the concerns of the community, but we have a well-designed security plan in place that protects guests and the community. The existing shelter is near schools and bus stops, and there have been no concerns over the many years it has been in operation,” the groups said.
Barnstable School Committee member Mike Judge, who claims to be “well-versed with homeless shelters,” said he’s worried about the potential that more security will have to be hired.
“I can see a lot of huge financial problems with this,” Judge said at the May 6 meeting.