On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council voted to move forward with the third and final phase of the “Home for All” plan, a 2023 initiative aimed at reducing homelessness. The final stage will fund the construction of 14 micro-shelters and an on-site office at the Faith Chapel Care Center in downtown Birmingham.
When the plan was first introduced in 2023, Mayor Randall Woodfin explained how it would improve the lives of the city’s homeless population.
“Our residents who are experiencing homelessness deserve to sleep safely in peace and with dignity,” said Woodfin. “We want to provide that for them, but also take it a step further by offering resources that give them the option for a transition into permanent housing.”
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The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute and deliver an agreement between the City of Birmingham and Faith Chapel Christian Center (Faith Chapel Cares) for the development. The city agreed to provide up to $1,224,125.77 to support the project.
On August 11, the Budget and Finance Committee met to consider the resolution ahead of the council’s vote. WBRC reported that Councilor Valerie Abbott questioned whether the site could attract drug dealers who might prey on the vulnerable homeless population.
Dr. Meghan Venable-Thomas, Birmingham’s Director of Community Development responded to Abbott.
“When they have the wraparound service providers there, when they have the folks who are administering programs who are around 24/7, this is next door to the Faith Chapel Care Center where they’re providing other wraparound services in their day center, typically that type of activity wouldn’t be on this site and wouldn’t be allowed particularly because of the security that will be part of the site,” she said.
Venable-Thomas explained that each micro-shelter will include a bed, desk, microwave, and heating and cooling system, with a communal area providing bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, and eating space.
According to WBRC, the Faith Chapel Care Center will also offer educational assistance, laundry service, help obtaining IDs, mental health support, and workforce development training.
The “Home for All” plan represents a multi-year effort by the city to move individuals from homelessness into stable housing, while also connecting them with resources to help them regain independence. City leaders say the final phase will mark a significant milestone in Birmingham’s approach to addressing homelessness with both immediate shelter and long-term solutions.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
