Homeless Opportunity Campus viewed favorably by downtown Columbia workers

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some people who work in downtown Columbia are in favor of the Voluntary Action Center and Columbia Housing Authority's proposed homeless shelter.

"We've been down here for 14 years," said Melody Beach, who owns The Beach Salon. "In the last probably three to four years we've seen an increase in the homeless population."

Beach said during the past few years, she has noticed an increase in the homeless population.

"We sometimes see that there's a lot more trash and a little bit more yelling at customers when they leave," she said.

"There's a lot of homelessness around here," Grass Roots Smoke Shop employee Justin Renshaw said. "Personally, myself, I try to help out as much as I can."

According to the Voluntary Action Center's mission statement, the goal of Opportunity Campus is to shelter Columbia's homeless population. The project looks to offer temporary shelter, transitional housing, affordable housing, meals and basic daily needs.

Opportunity Campus is looking to partner with mental health organizations to offer aid to the homeless population.

Beach thinks the project would be a step in the right direction.

"I think it's a great idea for sure," Beach said. "As long as the homeless people would be able to utilize it and be encouraged to utilize it."

While Beach thinks the project would benefit Columbia, she has some reservations about the project.

"The idea, it sounds amazing," Beach said. "However, I don't see them, like unless somebody transported them to another location, I don't see it being utilized."

Project coordinators have to submit a plan for the project to the city on Friday. The Columbia City Council is expected to discuss Opportunity Campus during it's next meeting on Monday.