We members of the public, join our voices to the Homeless Outreach Services Providers below in requesting that the City of Wheeling suspend enforcement of the camping ban until a managed camp is established. 

Homeless Service Providers Letter:

To Wheeling City Council & City Management;

We, the undersigned social service providers and advocates for people experiencing homelessness, are writing to you about the city’s enforcement of the camping ban without a managed camp in place.  We are requesting that you suspend enforcement of the camping ban until a managed camp is established. 

As it stands, it is not possible for people experiencing homelessness to follow the camping ban.  The enforcement of the ban today means that people without homes will be forced to carry all their belongings with them in shopping carts, wagons, suitcases, or whatever other items they can find to carry all of their earthly possessions.  Additionally, the Winter Freeze Shelter is not able to accommodate as many people that need it.  Unfortunately, there are only 50 beds available, and with over 120 unique guests between December 15th and 30th, there are clearly not adequate shelter beds available.  Moreover, the Winter Freeze Shelter ends on March 15th, meaning we are 9 short weeks away from having no low barrier shelter.  Without the establishment of a managed camp, people will be forced to choose which law to break: the camping ban or trespassing ordinances.  There are far reaching consequences to pending citations or criminal charges when it comes to finding housing.  This ordinance only places more barriers to ending homelessness.  Therefore, we ask that you suspend the enforcement of the camping ban until the establishment of a managed camp.

Regardless of what we think is the best approach to solving homelessness, there are major flaws in the ban without a plan:

Like any business venture, the success of this project will require all stakeholders to:
*Obtain land, which the city has been unable to identify,
*Dedicate time for strategic planning,
*Identify and procure finances,
*Develop an operational plan,
*Assemble a team of dedicated and hard-working professionals,
*Hire and train staff,
*Build the camp and facilities.

We have not had the appropriate amount of time dedicated to planning this unexpected project.  Local non-profits who are willing to help have already set their budgets for the year, and without additional resources, will not be able to take on a project as large as a managed camp without assistance from the city and one another.  It is irresponsible to move forward without the due diligence a project of this size requires.  

Therefore, we ask that you suspend enforcement of the camping ban until a responsible plan is established.  With the suspension of the ban, social service agencies and advocates will be able to come to the table with the city for constructive dialogue and strategic planning about a project as complex as a managed camp.

Sincerely,

In a letter dated Jan 15, over 30 representatives from the following service providers sent the above letter to Wheeling's City Council & City Management:
+5 Life Hub Employees; +7 Recovery Coaches and Shelter Managers; 
+12 Street Medicine Providers, including members of American Public Health Association’s caucus for homelessness, Medical Director for Wheeling Health Right, President of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Founder of Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net, and the Founder and multiple members of the Board of Directors of Street Medicine Institute.
The Northern Panhandle Continuum of Care (Executive Board of Directors, Secretary & several members at large); 
Helping Heroes, CEO; 
Ohio County Family Resource Network, Executive Director; 
Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network, Executive Director; 
NAMI Greater Wheeling, Executive Director;
YWCA Wheeling, Executive Director;
Youth Services Systems, Inc., Executive Director;
Northwood Health Systems, CEO;
Catholic Charities, WV;
Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center;
Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston;
Executive Director WV Council of Churches;
The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling;
House of Hagar;
Uplift WV;
Street Moms;
Trash Talkers;
Rattle the Windows