Community Meeting Set for Feb. 20
Plans for a homeless women’s shelter in Munson Township were put on hold after a slew of Facebook comments opposing it caught officials’ attention.
Plans for a homeless women’s shelter in Munson Township were put on hold after a slew of Facebook comments opposing it caught officials’ attention.
A Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on a variance to allow the shelter at a facility owned by the Sisters of Notre Dame — originally scheduled for Jan. 17 — was postponed for up to six months.
Instead, the Geauga Faith Rescue Mission opted to hold one or more community meetings about the proposal, GFRM Board President Mary Owen said Jan. 8.
The decision was made after a post was made on the Meanwhile in Geauga Facebook page regarding the shelter that read, “Hell no. What’s happening to Geauga? County is going to hell.”
The post drew 171 comments on both sides of the issues — some of which expressed concern about the shelter bringing people from the inner city to the county.
“You do not want anything from the inner city coming out to our county. I work in the inner city. This will be like a cancer,” Sam Culper said in a comment.
Another comment, from Ronald Kruty, read, “It will end up being filled with illegals … this is the beginning of the end folks … then the township and county will have to fund it when the ‘sisters’ run out of cash to fund it.”
In response to the opposition, Erin Langer Buss wrote, “You realize there is a men’s homeless shelter in Chardon. I believe they have been looking for a place for the women. I think the nuns work closely in helping the men’s shelter . Not sure why we wouldn’t want to help some of our own.”
Charlie Carney added, “Not a bad idea. Many women need help, this could be a very uplifting system that gets them back on their feet. I’m in favor of this and hope it comes to fruition. I’ve met many people who have regained their footing by having shelter and support after months and even years of struggling.”
The first community meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Munson Township Town Hall.
A letter dated Dec. 18 from SND to Munson Township Zoning Inspector Jim Herringshaw outlined the collaborative effort that would make use of the former preschool on the east side of Auburn Road.
The facility, which is across from the driveway to the Catholic church and the school, is no longer in use and would accommodate up to 10 women if renovated, according to the letter.
It would provide housing for up to 90 days for single women over the age of 18.
The facility is in an institutional district, so a variance from the board of zoning appeals would be needed for the project to begin.
In the letter, SND noted the facility is adjacent to pastureland, the closest neighbors are the sisters, and there is adequate parking and space for gardens. It sets on 20 undeveloped acres owned by SND.
The GFRM opened a homeless men’s shelter in Chardon several years ago. The letter states programming for the women’s shelter would be similar.
The list includes:
- Single women over the age of 18 who live in or have a connection to Geauga County and who agree to the requirements of the program would be able to stay for up to 90 days;
- University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center would provide a wellness assessment at the beginning of each woman’s stay and develop a plan to help each of them reach stable good health;
- Educational programming provided by volunteers would include life skills, financial literacy, job search, application for permanent housing and other skill development as needed by the guests;
- Volunteers would provide counseling and referral to other local services;
- Sisters currently serve on the board of GFRM and many would be volunteers, sharing a variety of counseling, ministry and educational skills.
Owen said there are strict rules at the Chardon shelter that would be enforced in Munson, as well. Applicants are screened and must agree to random drug testing, she said.
In Ohio, the need for shelter has been rising significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, largely because of the increase in rent and a shortage of available housing, according to The Center Square, a project of the Franklin News Foundation.
The U.S. Department of House and Urban Development reported more than 11,000 Ohioans were homeless according to a count taken in January — a 6.9% increase from the year before — and for more than 700,000 Ohio residents, the cost of housing eats up over half their income. In 2022, HUD’s annual report showed homelessness grew nationwide by 12.1%, according to a Dec. 20 article in The Center Square.
Northeast Ohio has its share of people who, for one reason or another, are struggling to find safe places to get out of the weather and stay warm.
A press release from GFRM notes the organization has been helping homeless men and women in Geauga County since 2015 through various forms of support services, such as direct delivery of supplies and referrals, hotel stays and an emergency rescue shelter for men in Chardon.
The organization proposes leasing the facility on the SND property.
In 2022, GFRM opened Geauga County’s first men’s emergency shelter facility in Chardon, allowing GFRM and its community partners to provide more than 2,400 nights of food, shelter, and spiritual guidance to male residents and former residents of Geauga County.
GFRM is a nonprofit agency completely dependent on community support for its operations. Executive Director Nathan Long, 440-214-9916, will provide more information or with any questions.
