HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7028 INFORMAL REPORT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7028
�, `of soar4 To the Magor and Members of the City Council June 11, 1985
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Subject: SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS
Since the closing of the Rehabilitation Farm, questions have been asked
whether there are sufficient locations in Fort Worth to provide night shelter
for the homeless. Within the City of Fort Worth, there are three main shel-
ters which provide space for the homeless. These three shelters have a cur-
rent capacity of approximately 700 persons. This number represents a 100%
increase in night shelter space from what was available this time last year.
The shelters are:
1) The Salvation Army, 201 Jones Street, has a capacity for 50 homeless per-
sons and provides lodging and food for transients and homeless. Their
clients are allowed to stay one night free with each additional night
costing $5.
The Salvation Army also has opened a family shelter which can house home-
less families up to one week at no cost. This period is negotiable,
depending upon extenuating circumstances. Families have been designated
to include a mother and/or father with children. These families are
housed in apartment type units. There are 14 apartments with a capacity
of 4 people in each unit. If some homeless family has found employment
and needs a place to stay while trying to locate affordable housing, they
can stay here and pay a nominal rent. There is usually a waiting list
for the family shelter.
2) The Union Gospel Mission, 1331 East Lancaster, is Fort Worth's oldest
emergency shelter with a capacity for 290 men and 52 women and children.
This non-denominational group provides temporary shelter, food and
clothing for transients and homeless. A homeless individual coming into
the Mission can stay up to 3 days without paying. Depending on the cir-
cumstances, this can be extended. After the complimentary period, the
cost is $3.50 per day which includes food, shelter, clothing and trans-
portation to health care facilities, if required. The Union Gospel Mis-
sion also takes referrals from Women's Haven if they are over capacity.
The Mission can almost always take additional men but frequently runs out
of space for women and children.
3) The Presbyterian Night Shelter is the newest facility available for the
homeless/transient population; the capacity is 300 men and women. They
are located at 600 East Rosedale in the Guinn Elementary School . Their
hours of operation are 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. and they accept people
into the facility until 3:00 a.m.
While there are no beds or hot meals, free shelter, shower facilities and
usually sandwiches, pastries, milk and coffee are available. This faci-
lity is available at no cost and no limit on how often you return. The
Night Shelter has between 160 and___1RO_.xes44onts each night, so they
could accommodate quite a few mgt' �,l,4�1 RENRIh i r funding is strictly
from private sources. ' 1TVROAD
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNC► MEMBERS 140, 7028 - p.2
0'"T`p` June 11, 1985
'0
To the Mayor and Member of the City Council
�rExrg Subject: SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS
Some of the homeless are in need of treatment from alcoholism. There are a
few programs which offer treatment to the homeless at a reduced rate or free
of charge. Those agencies are as follows:
1) The Alcohol Recovery Center (ARC) at 815 South Jennings is the 20-bed
residential facility for Tarrant County Mental Health Mental Retarda-
tion. They have a medical detoxification (alcohol only) , on site with a
consulting physician and a 24-hour nursing staff. They have a 10-day
program and run about 85-90% capacity. They do not maintain a waiting
list. The cost of the program is on a sliding scale which runs from $80
to $900 for the 10 days. ARC requests an $80 deposit at the time of
admission. They restrict clients to three admissions per year and they
cannot re-enter the program within six months.
After detoxification and ten days of counseling and education, clients
are referred to outpatient MH/MR, or other community agencies.
2) The Salvation Army Alcohol Rehabilitation Center is located at 2901 NE
28th Street. They do not provide detoxification, but they have a 90-day
program to assist someone who wants to stop drinking or using drugs.
There is no charge for admission but the person must be completely drug/
alcohol free for 24 hours and be able to go to work immediately. They
have a work therapy program and if the need exists and their work is
satisfactory, the client can stay more than 90 days. The facility can
house 89 males. They have a high recividism rate which requires them to
restrict individual admissions to no more than three times in a year.
3) The Volunteers of America (VOA) have a 16-bed residential treatment faci-
lity at 2710 Avenue J. They can house up to ten men and about six
females. All of their clients are either Texas Rehabilitation Commission
or Veterans Administration sponsored and have been referred from some
other treatment facility. They have a 9-day program which includes coun-
seling and group therapy but no detoxification. If someone wants admis-
sion to the program and is coming off the street, they are referred to
the Texas Rehabilitation Commission for certification.
VOA also has a residential center which accepts court ordered referrals.
Mainly these are people who have had court ordered probation for drug or
alcohol related offenses but did not obey the stipulations of their pro-
bation. This facility is an alternative to prison. They can house 76
males and females but refer to outside agencies for counseling.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT ) CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AN% No. 7028 - p.3
�o�coer,�o To the Mayor and Members of the Cite Council June 11, 1985
rExPy Subject: SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS
4) Star House is a community-based operation. They are located at 2740
Avenue K and run a 90-day in-residence recovery center. They can house
up to 25 males and maintain a waiting list. They request a $50 entry fee
and charge $25 per day, but no one is refused help because of lack of
funds; if they have a desire to stop using drugs or drinking. They have
a non-medical detoxification program in-house.
Although these services are available, many of which are free of charge,
homeless persons are still seen in the downtown streets. During fair weather
some of these individuals choose to sleep downtown instead of in one of these
shelters. It is the opinion of staff that the location of these shelters are
well known, but it may be these people's choice to sleep on a bench rather
than to walk to a night shelter.
Should the City Council desire additional information, it will be provided
upon request.
Douglas Harman
City Manager
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS