A Proposed Homeless Facility Has Some Concerned

Augusta, GA—The hospital is looking at taking 2 unused buildings they already have on their property and turning them into transitional housing for veterans.  Even though it’s just in its beginning stages, some are already leery of what it would do to the area.

Aaron Bowman, neighbor:  “There are quite a few over there that are empty, they should have somebody living in them.”

For years these 2 buildings have sat vacant on the Uptown V.A.‘s property, but soon, that may change.

Michael Shaffer, Government Relations, Charlie Norwood V.A. Medical Center:  “We’re looking at the possibility that the V.A. will put out a proposal for public or private non-profit that would come in and rehab the buildings as possible use for transitional housing for homeless veterans.”

Some in the area open to the idea.

Marty Hardy, neighbor:  “As far as I’m concerned, I think it would be perfect for the homeless. I think the only thing you would have to do is screen them and if you go off the campus and you come back and you get caught with drugs then you’re out of there.”

Others aren’t so sure…

Felicia Hill, children attend nearby daycare:  “No I’m not a fan of it, I’m not a fan of it going up, especially close kids.”

Felicia Hill’s kids go to ‘A Child’s World’ daycare center which sits near the proposed site. She says she’s all for helping local veterans but safety with this proposed facility is still a concern.

Hill:  “You’ve got people molesting children so I guess by them being this close to children you know they can (grab) them, or whatever, being this close.”

While disagreements are expected between the local neighborhoods and the V.A., Government Relations Assistant Director Michael Shaffer, says its primary focus is to help, not hurt.

Michael Shaffer, Government Relations Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center:  “These are people who and so this is another opportunity to find a way to help them.”

These are just the early stages, no decisions have been made.  A public hearing will be held this Monday at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the V.A.‘s uptown campus.

One of the buildings used to be an administrative office and the other was a nursing home that could hold more than 300 beds.