When the Bell Rings on This San Antonio Campus...There Goes the Neighborhood

Residents of the city of San Antonio are experiencing a unique situation. The government that has been implemented to serve its citizens is doing just that. It is serving the residents of a downtown neighborhood a big helping of the city’s homeless population. In an article entitled “Neighbors Fear Homeless Center” featured in the San Antonio Express News, communities express their grievances for the downtown Haven For Hope Homeless Campus as city officials continue to move forward with the planned 22 acre project.

The article, aimed to add the spark to an already heated issue, is written not to bash city efforts to make San Antonio a more pleasing place for the “down and out”, or to ridicule the selfish homeowners who want no such campus near their homes, but rather to inform the residence in the greater San Antonio area. Many may not be aware of the need for such a facility for the homeless or even realize the losing battle residence face when attempting to protect their neighborhoods even after city officials give the OK.

Communities located near the downtown project fear that the planned homeless sanctuary will only worsen neighborhood crime, prostitution, drug use, and increase the number of pedophiles walking the streets. Readers are shown this fear through examples of community outreach like the formation of the Westside Task force, which will take legal action upon construction, and testimonials of the concerned throughout the city. The fears of these residence seem to be falling on deaf ears, and that is only upsetting the involved communities even more, as it should. Having volunteered at the Austin Salvation Army, I can personally say that programs for the homeless need to exist, but when you see the alleyways adjacent to the shelter filled with handfuls of people turned away from the shelter due to drug abuse, alcoholism, and other factors, it might put many homeowners and parents on edge.

When considering exactly what political implications are lurking behind the scenes of this article and growing debate about an intruding public facility, you visualize the city of San Antonio acting on a project that will only benefit residence and also give the homeless a second chance. Sounds like a win-win situation. Delve a little deeper and you find that San Antonio is really successful at racking up those famous superlatives. In the list of Fattest cities of America, most successful NBA franchise in recent years, and now being included in the list of America’s Meanest Cities When Concerning the Homeless (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10823343). Ranked number 7 in fact, the Top Twenty list was configured after analyzing opportunities for the homeless and the different laws that prohibit begging, sleeping in public areas, and other activities the homeless often frequent.

Now aware of the shortcomings the city of San Antonio has experienced when dealing with the homeless, the reason for the Haven For Hope Homeless Shelter is better understood. The editorial explaining the growing downtown controversy is successful at also pointing out the city’s ability to mask residence concern being near the shelter for ignorance to the facility’s capabilities and the greater good it will bring. The greater good for the homeless having a place to go during those cold San Antonio winters. The greater good for the citizens of San Antonio knowing the homeless will be given a proper chance to once again become viable members of society. But more importantly the greater good for the city of San Antonio to try its hand in good PR and have their name taken off the list of Meanest Cities When Concerning the Homeless, even at the expense of downtown neighborhoods.