Supporters say providing lockers would be a neighborly thing to do. Critics worry they would attract problems.
Imagine having to carry all your possessions with you all the time.
That’s a situation many homeless people face every day.
If you had a job at a construction site, for example, how would you feel about bringing your stuff to work? Would it be OK to leave it unattended while you focused on doing your job?
What if you had a job interview? Would you want to show up lugging a big backpack?
What if you did have a place to store your stuff but could only access it during business hours Monday through Friday? What if you needed a change of clothes on the weekend?
Those are some of the arguments advocates for the homeless have pitched to Fort Collins officials for several months to illustrate the need for lockers in Old Town that could be used by homeless people.
Lockers are available at local service providers, such as the Murphy Center, but not enough to meet the need, advocates say.
In response, the city is considering a pilot program to provide lockers that would be accessible 24/7. The Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship, 300 E. Oak St., has offered to provide space for the lockers outside its building.
The proposal has raised alarms with downtown business owners and residents. Critics say the neighborhood has enough problems with homeless people hanging around. Disturbances at Old Town Library and the adjacent city park are common.
Lockers would only attract more vagrant foot traffic and issues, they argue. The lockers could be used to store drugs and dangerous materials, and their presence could lead to conflicts among homeless people.
Under the current proposal, about 20 lockers would be placed on the north side of the church building. The city would provide the lockers as well as an awning to protect them from the weather.
The church would manage and maintain the facilities with reimbursement from the city. The total tab would be about $10,500, said Beth Sowder, city director of social sustainability.
Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship Pastor Steve Ramer said he understands neighbors have concerns, although some appear to be based on stereotypes of the homeless.
The church would have final say on who may use the lockers and enforce rules to ensure security. Draft guidelines include assigning lockers three months at a time; prohibiting storage of weapons, illicit drugs, alcohol, and food; and reserving the right to search lockers.
The City Council would have to approve the locker program. A second neighborhood meeting on the proposal is scheduled for Dec. 14, Ramer said.
The city shouldn’t be telling people where they may and may not be based on their social status, he said.
Criteria for how lockers would be assigned are still being developed. Making the lives of homeless people simpler would be a neighborly thing to do, Ramer said.