PC: Safe Haven Hope Center Facebook Page
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Green Bay has granted Safe Haven Hope Center a temporary use permit to operate a homeless shelter where Newcap used to operate one.
Safe Haven says it “is a low-barrier, trauma-informed transitional living shelter” that will serve “individuals facing significant barriers to traditional shelter systems by prioritizing safety, dignity, autonomy and relationship-centered care.”
During a dangerous Arctic cold snap earlier this year, the city of Green Bay cited Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary for housing homeless people in its Broadway building.
The temporary use permit for 315 S. Jefferson Street expires no later than June 30. It allows for nine residents and one staff member to be residential overnight users. Additional employees are allowed to be at the shelter during overnight hours, but cannot use the site in a residential capacity.
To make the set-up permanent, a conditional use permit must be applied for with the Green Bay Plan Commission. It would also require a vote from the Common Council.
A program overview document from Safe Haven Hope Center states “background information may be reviewed for the purpose of safety planning only, not exclusion whenever possible.”
State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Gillett, owns property next door to the Safe Haven Hope Center and has voiced his opposition to the plan. Wimberger’s office sent the following statement:
Before I entered politics and moved out of the city, my Green Bay property was intended to be a home office that I would renovate and build a life with. I started with only debt in life and I sunk everything I saved into that property, which isn’t much. Like any property owner, I am highly concerned about the neighborhood. NEWCAP, despite its massive failings, courteously maintained the property next door that shares a driveway. They made sure to have supervision, and the residents were families with children and abuse survivors. It was good to see people motivated to get themselves back on their feet be given that helping hand.
Safe Haven has not once contacted neighboring property owners, and no one knows who or what is going on there in any detail. In media, they claim to be a “low barrier shelter for those who have been kicked out of other shelters” for drug abuse or sometimes violent offenses. I have serious safety concerns for nearby residents, myself, and those who say they’d like to help.
I will not tolerate violations of the law in the neighborhood, and clearly expressed this view. I video monitor the property, and will report any such violations to the police. If desiring lawful behavior is a threat to their permit, perhaps they should reflect on who they plan to house.
Several volunteers and workers of Safe Haven have been critical of an interaction they had with Wimberger at the shelter property. Cathi Oreto of Safe Haven Hope Center sent the following statement:
So I talked to our next door neighbor again. He was still cold and angry, and couldn’t look me in the eyes or even at me. This time though, he was begrudgingly professional and semi-willing to engage in conversation. He brought up 2 good points. He was notably angry because he thought 1: We didn’t/wouldn’t have background checks. 2: We should have canvassed the neighbors first, to tell them what we wanted to do.
1. We WILL have background checks on everyone we get to serve. We can’t possibly properly help folks go forward if we don’t know where they’ve been.
2. Yup. Letting neighbors know who we are and what we’re doing is a great idea. Had we KNOWN we would be here – we would’ve. We will be doing, (as they say in sales), “donut runs”, beginning this week. We want to know our neighbors. Working together, is the only way we can make this shelter model successful. I missed a step. That was on me.
I don’t expect that everyone will be jumping for joy about what we’re doing here. I know neighbors will have questions. Our board, myself included, are ready to answer them.
Safe Haven is already having people stay overnight at its shelter.
Newcap shut down all of its operations Tuesday, as it has dealt with financial issues and accusations of misusing taxpayer money meant to help low-income residents.
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