Boise group says McLean task force on homelessness is ‘stacked’ against average residents
A new citizens’ group says “the deck is stacked” against “average citizens” on Boise Mayor Lauren McLean’s task force on homelessness.
About 30 people gathered in front of City Hall on Tuesday to express concerns that the city’s new Shelter Better Task Force lacks transparency and is not considering all options to address Boise’s housing needs. They want McLean to “respect the rights of current (neighborhood) residents first” and favor small shelter models over large ones.
“We are not confident the citizens’ valid and legitimate concerns are being, or will be, addressed,” Bobbie Aitchison, a resident of the Veterans Park neighborhood, said at a news conference called by the group, Boise Neighbors for Better Housing. “We believe special-interest groups of big business and homeless advocates are being prioritized over the average citizen.”
Boise Neighbors for Better Housing is made up of mostly Veterans Park Neighborhood Association members. The group formed after neighbors protested the Interfaith Sanctuary homeless shelter’s purchase of a former Salvation Army thrift store in the Veterans Park neighborhood at 4306 W. State St. Interfaith administrators intended to move the shelter from its current downtown location to the State Street building.
McLean put the relocation on hold in June following the protests. McLean in July created the 19-member Shelter Better Task Force to evaluate locations, including the State Street location. Members include shelter managers, neighborhood association representatives and people who have been homeless.
Aitchison said “proximity to residential developments is not appropriate or suitable for a large, low-barrier emergency shelter.” She said Interfaith Sanctuary put the city in a difficult situation by creating a “reckless sense of urgency” and an ”unrealistic timeline” when it sold its existing building and purchased the new one before receiving an approved permit from the city.
The city, she said, is not required to provide social services, “therefore the city is not obligated to resolve a problem Interfaith created for itself in a rushed manner.”
“Why is Mayor McLean allowing Interfaith Sanctuary to hold our city hostage using those experiencing homelessness as pawns by Interfaith’s board’s own choice....?” Aitchison asked.
Jodi Peterson, executive director of Interfaith Sanctuary, declined to comment.
Boise Neighbors for Better Housing disagreed with McLean appointing 12 members of Our Path Home and its partner agencies to its 19-person task force. She felt neighborhood opinions were not given enough weight.
Shelter Better Task Force Chair Courtney Washburn said it has taken the time to hear neighborhood concerns.
“As recently as yesterday, we heard from neighborhood association presidents and neighbors represented on the Better Shelter Task Force about the concerns and opportunities associated with the proposed State Street location for Interfaith Sanctuary,” Washburn said by email. “For several weeks, the task force, composed of 19 diverse and passionate community members, have engaged in six sessions – all open to the public and recorded. I am confident the task force members will continue to be open and honest with each other and consider the facts and information provided to them as they work to produce final recommendations next week.”
Aitchison said the task force met with neighborhood representatives only after repeated requests, and its members have been largely unresponsive when contacted.
Sally Krutzig covers Treasure Valley growth and development. Have a story suggestion or a question? Email Krutzig at skrutzig@idahostatesman.com.
This story was originally published August 24, 2021 at 12:10 PM.
