Empty Library May Become Homeless Shelter

Genghis John writes “The upscale Contra Costa enclave of Orinda, which many consider one of the most desirable places to live in the Bay Area, may soon house a new group of people — the homeless.
While homeless advocates praised the city for volunteering its long-empty library for a shelter to help deal with one of the Bay Area’s most-pressing problems, political leaders are bracing for opposition from residents who fear that the operation in the charming Orinda Village would bring in crime, loitering and begging.
The City Council voted in closed session this week to negotiate a lease with the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County for a temporary shelter for families and the frail elderly.
Here’sThe Story.”

January 14, 2004 by Uncategorized 3

You may also like...

3 Responses

  1. vapid says:
    January 14, 2004 at 4:51 pm

    homeless shelter in unused library
    a shelter for homeless folk and a shelter would be better- but if the buildings being used by people who need a roof, what on earth are people complaining about?

    especially people who already have a roof over their heads.

    somewhere to sleep is good enough for me, but not for you?

    kind of makes you hope they’ll need a shelter one day when they’ve made sure they’re all closed down.

    homelessness can happen to absolutely anyone- if you think otherwise you’re fooling yourself.

    access to information can help people get themselves sorted out once its happened- that’s why there should be a library, or at least some kind of community information service, available.

    but people still need a roof to be safe.

    how would people feel if someone dies because they don’t have anywhere safe to stay? would they care?

    Reply
  2. vapid says:
    January 14, 2004 at 10:54 pm

    Re:homeless shelter in unused library
    I meant a shelter and a library. Although 2 shelters would be good.

    Didn’t Negativland do a song about Contra Costa County?

    Reply
  3. Anonymous Patron says:
    January 15, 2004 at 2:31 am

    my library is already a shelter
    My library is already a homeless shelter, although unofficial, and technically open for all patrons to visit if they dare.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LISNews Archives