JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The city of Jacksonville is preparing to move up to 150 people from the downtown “tent city” off Jefferson Street. A temporary shelter is opening in an empty warehouse that the city only has available for 30 days.
Action News Jax first reported when the city put up a fence along the camp. The city said everyone has to move, and the site will be fenced up and kept vacant.
City Rescue Mission is helping set up and staff the temporary shelter. Paul Stasi, the executive director, said “there was a lot of cleanup over the weekend. We’re cleaning the floors, setting up cots, bringing in water, tables and chairs and all the supplies to run a shelter.”
Stasi said the goal is to have everyone out of the homeless camp by noon Tuesday.
Volunteers on site are concerned about miscommunication with the dozens of people still left at the site. Flyers have been passed out by the city.
“They need help. It’s overwhelming. You can’t just give them a flyer and expect them to do everything on their own,” Casie Green, with First Coast House of Healing, said. “They’re going to take that flyer and lay back down, because that’s depression.”
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She is also concerned that 30 days is not enough time for people to find a permanent solution to homelessness. Action News Jax’s Robert Grant asked City Rescue Mission about the short time.
“30 days is a short time and we only have it for 30 days,” Stasi said. “There’s a lot of different options here — this is just one step to help them.”
Stasi said personal belongings will be stored for the 30 days people are at the shelter. He said it will have bathrooms and showers, and will be staffed 24 hours a day.
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The site on Jefferson has grown after word got out that resources were available. Stasi said some people have come from surrounding counties and cities to get help. However, volunteers on the ground said a majority of them are local.
City Rescue Mission is looking for help from volunteers and donations, including towels and washcloths, which can be dropped off at their location at 234 West State Street.