The homeless problem is not going away, but it’s getting better, according to a longtime Salvation Army professional.
“We still have homeless individuals, but I see a different face,” says Springfield Salvation Army Commander Maj. Steven Woodard “There are some people that I have not ever seen again – I serve them one time, and then I don’t see them again – so that’s a success story, one individual at a time.”
Woodard accepted more than $2 million in city and state funds to help renovate a former downtown office building into a shelter.
The building, at Ninth and Washington Streets, will eventually have 78 beds, Woodard said, and keep homeless families intact rather than separate men and women.
The city funds, $1.1 million worth, are from tax increment financing — funds which were approved a while back. The state funds are from the Illinois Jobs Now! major construction program.
“This state of the art facility will not only give those most unfortunate among us a place to lay their head at night, but more importantly, a path out of homelessness with its computer lab, job training and other services,” says Ward 5 Alderman Sam Cahnman, whose ward includes the long-vacant building. “It will also create many much needed construction jobs in our city. This is a Governor who cares about people and does something about it.”
Developers will be reimbursed for TIF eligible expenses as construction goes on — making the building ADA accessible, abating asbestos and other projects.