Homelessness Highlighted in Westminster

The city of Westminster denied a request to rezone a property on 115 Riley Street, where a local non-profit organization, Westminster Hope ComeUnity, planned to build three small homes for homeless people who are seeking permanent housing.

The city council voted 4 to 2 against the proposal, which would have changed the zoning from single-family residential to multi-family residential. Councilwoman Audrey Reese, who is a pastor of a church that supports Hope ComeUnity, recused herself from the vote to avoid a conflict of interest.

The three homes were intended to provide temporary shelter for homeless individuals and families, but they would not be classified as homeless shelters. Councilwoman Ruth May, who lives in the same neighborhood as the property, opposed the rezoning. She said she did not want the three homes in her area. The other council members also expressed their concerns about the potential impact of the rezoning on property values.

Councilwoman Daby Snipes said she has endured sleepless nights over concerns about the issue…

Before the vote, Mayor Brian Ramey led a discussion on the growing problem of homelessness in the city. He said that many homeless people have been sleeping at the Depot gazebo and at the dugouts of a renovated baseball field on E. North Avenue. He said that homelessness is a county-wide issue that needs to be addressed…

Mayor Ramey promised to bring up the topic at the next meeting of the Oconee County Municipal Association on August 21 in Salem.