On August 27th, 2024, I attended City Council meeting for the first time ever in 5 years of being a resident. What got me there wasn’t an overwhelming sense of civic duty, but the concerning news I heard through the grapevine that Lincoln was putting in a “homeless shelter.” Not one to get caught up in false alarmism I thought the City Council would perhaps address it at the next meeting or at least be able to provide more information.

The Gathering Inn touts itself on it’s website as a medical respite program to help unhoused patients after hospital discharge. What has everyone’s hackles up is the lack of transparency or seeming lack of regard for the concerns of citizens. In a public announcement, The Gathering Inn (referred to as TGI at the meeting), demonstrates awareness of the general sentiment but, in my opinion only, pays lip service to people’s concerns.

I was not the only one to show up at the meeting with concerns about the “medical respite” center that snuck past the municipal permitting process under the auspices of state grants. The concerns voiced by locals, some meekly, some quite vehemently range from safety for the kids that travel to and from school by the planned site of the facility to questions about what happens when “patients” leave the facility.

The overall flavor of the concerns can be summarized as follows:

• Physical safety of residents and children

• A widely held perception of “sneakiness” on part of the facility

• Potential impact on property values and neighborhood desirability

I have to commend the Mayor and City Council hearing out all the public comments and promising to make this a top priority. Unfortunately, I shake the suspicion that the City Council’s hands might be tied on what they can do - or say. The Gathering Inn has apparently retained legal council and is remaining tight-lipped in their response to public concerns. It will not be difficult for the private business to maintain a strict information embargo if that’s how they choose to play it. The City Council did say that “all options are on the table” regarding the City’s efforts to address this issue.

The site of The Gathering Inn was acquired with federal grant money and through what appears to be a state funded program, The Community Care Expansion Program, which somewhat precludes the deal from local ordinances. I know I’m not the only one finds it a little too convenient that such a program seems to offer no recourse or avenue for pushback from locals. I will be following this news closely. Anyone who is or would be directly impacted by the presence of this facility is invited to reach out to me for comment.

City Council Meeting Recording

Update (September 10, 2024)

Mere days after protests erupted on the streets of Lincoln about the new center for the homeless, expected to open next month, Lincoln City Council voted to take legal action against the property owners. Council members voted unanimously to subpoena records from The Gathering Inn organization which recently bought property at 1660 3rd Street. Officials are requesting witness testimony, documents, books, and all information about The Gathering Inn’s acquisition of the property and compliance with federal law.

Homeowners’ Advisory provided courtesy of:

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