Catholic Worker Shelter For Homeless Under Threat.

international | housing | other press

Thursday November 17, 2005 15:43

by pat c

Prejudice against the homeless exists everywhere. Even in South Bend Indiana as the Catholic Worker Movement found out when they tried to open a shelter for the homeless.

Catholic Worker fate rests with swing voter
Group leaning against lawsuit, hopes council member will change his mind.

By JEFF PARROTT
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Common Council member Al "Buddy" Kirsits expects to cast the deciding vote against a controversial homeless shelter, he said Tuesday.

"I'm sure I'm going to get pounded with letters, phone calls and pleas over the next two weeks," said Kirsits, D-at large.

He was home sick with the flu Monday night while his colleagues split 4-4 on whether to deny Catholic Worker of Michiana's petitions to change the zoning at 1126 W. Washington St. from single- to multifamily, and to seek a group residence special exception. The council will vote again at its next meeting Nov. 28.

The city has found the group in violation of the block's zoning, which prohibits more than two unrelated individuals from living in the same dwelling.

Full story at link.

Comments (2 of 2)

that's very interesting

by anima

Thu Nov 17, 2005 20:53

the law against over two unrelated people living in the same dwelling. is that to prevent hippies, punks and other postmodern monsters from conducting immoral behaviour?

curious isn't it?

by iosaf :+:

Thu Nov 17, 2005 21:10

barcelona

the prejudice against homeless people, in today's edition of the weekly "catalonia today" a humble little newspaper which tries to offer news in the english language for that little place, details of what was described as the future "presbytarian barcelona" were put. I was familiar with all of them, but the tone was fresh. After a year's campaign by the "free press" (the morning advert sheets like Metro! 20 minutes! Que!) the council have finally decided to act on what is called "incivism".
I suppose it translates to english as "loutishness" or "yobbishness". & of the many transgressions which (if the mayor gets his way) will be punishable by fines is :- "using a park bench for any other than the intended purpose" or "using a public fountain to wash".
We mostly take this to mean "sleeping like a hobo". & we mostly agree its meant to target the poor misguided hordes who come to the city thanks to Ryanair, but haven't anywhere to stay, but will most punitively be used against rough sleepers.
The fine - 500€

Where do homeless or very poor people wash? Its a question, which our forebears pondered, and it is one of the reasons why they introduced public fountains. There comes a stage in "homelessness and extreme poverty" when quietly slipping into a restaurant's washrooms is no longer an option.
It is ironic that a city like Barcelona seems intent on sending its smelly homeless to either the nuns or (???) the okupas. Other little "add-on" castigations which come from prejudice against the homeless or poor are the new laws on public urination. Worthy of comment here, because Bcn like most US cities has an exceedingly low number of public toilets. Piss in a dark alley you'll get a fine of 350€ but if you go piss on a listed building (city hall, cathedral, half built famous church with masonic symbols) you'll get a fine of 1500€. utterly crazy and callous. But at least the skateboarders were included ( and rollerbladers )and from now on those little gurriers will face fines of 750€-1500€ for doing acrobats, endangering kids & keeping Iosaf awake after 1am by jumping the kerb under his balcony.

Small comfort. i'd prefer a city which cared for his homeless and didn't need nuns or Catholic workers to do it, in such a city I'd learn how to skateboard.
& sadly all our cities be they in the EU or US are the same.