Homelessness in Augusta has been and will likely continue to be a problem for years to come. After multiple conversations in the last few weeks with several Richmond County commissioners and civic leaders it appears as though there is momentum to finally address the issue.
Socioeconomic factors are not the main concern. Homelessness truly is a moral issue for most modern societies. In some cases, homelessness is a mental health issue, occasionally a seeming issue of choice. Homelessness becomes a moral issue when government and its leaders turn a blind eye to those whom homelessness affects. For some who are homeless, often moral issues led to their plight. Morality deals with social norms that distinguish between right and wrong, behaviors that are good or bad. By this definition of morality, homelessness is truly an issue for all of society.
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From a practical standpoint, solutions exist. Churches should take the lead on the issue, but many churches are more concerned with building large campuses, increasing their social media following and adding staff to payroll than using their resources to help the homeless, hungry, and poor.
Because of inaction by the Church at large, the task has fallen to ill-equipped local governments to deal with. Specifically, in Augusta-Richmond County the task is daunting.
Conversations with local leaders show one clear path toward dealing with homelessness. Augusta-Richmond County needs to use the resources it already has.
ARC has received money from The Cares Act to be used specifically to combat homelessness. We have been trying to ascertain how much the amount received is, but so far all anyone can say is that it is significant.
Facilities are the next challenge. The Board of Education has a building located at 622 Fourth St. behind the 401 Walton Way jail. Currently, this building is being used for COVID-19 vaccine storage and distribution. The building is the perfect location for a homeless shelter and is already setup and equipped to handle the needs homeless people have. The new sheriff’s office across the street can also provide any additional security needed.
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According to Richmond County commission, this location has challenges. The main challenge is the constant bickering back and forth about where the judicial justice and training center is going to be located. The school has been considered as a location since the Augusta commission made plans to demolish the 401 Walton Way jail. The bigger issue is that the Board of Education wants to trade the school property for other property the city owns behind TW Josey High School off 15th street. For some reason, the city of Augusta does not want to make the trade with the board of education.
The homelessness crisis in Augusta is already significant, and the problem is getting worse daily.
The board of education and the city need to work out an agreement to allow for ownership of the school to be transferred quickly to the city of Augusta. The CARES Act money needs to be allocated for retrofitting the school and creating a program to deal with homelessness. Engagement of local clergy could also provide additional staffing resources and would help facilitate a solution.
Staffing, money and a building are all available. The city has all the resources it needs to fix the homelessness crisis. The board of education and the county commission need to work together before someone figures out a loophole on how to spend the CARES act money on something other than what it was originally designated for…homelessness.
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