Va. Beach would do well to watch Arlington on homeless debate

There's something about the words "homeless shelter" that arouses fear and loathing in otherwise sane people.

Residents howl in protest, claiming crime will spike and property values will plummet. Local officials are pilloried for even considering a site.

And the people helped by the new facility? They're overtaken by NIMBY-ism - "not in my backyard."

The latest controversy is playing out in Arlington County. The debate there might help Virginia Beach officials steer clear of problems, as they consider starting a campus model that would include a variety of support services.

Arlington has about 208,000 people; it's nearly the size of Chesapeake. The median household income is about $95,000, making it one of the richest localities in the state. But at 26 square miles, it's also small in area.

County officials want to move an emergency, winter-only shelter just two blocks away, to an existing, seven-story building. A couple of floors at the new site would house a year-round homeless shelter for single adults. The new shelter would have 50 permanent beds, plus an extra 25 during the winter. It also would provide employment and substance abuse counseling, as well as mental health and other services.

Here's the rub: The new site is next door to a 170-unit condominium. Residents there are angry. County officials told me Friday they've been seeking new space for years, but an article in The Washington Post noted that many nearby residents didn't find out about the proposal until late November.

The county board could vote next week to pursue purchase of the building. Eventually, a public hearing would be held because a use permit is required. So it could take many months before a new center opens.

In South Hampton Roads, homeless shelters and supportive housing have led to rifts with residents.

The Union Mission faced hurdles years ago when it tried to move from its longtime location in downtown Norfolk. It finally was able to build a large campus off East Virginia Beach Boulevard.

Earlier this year, Chesapeake's City Council narrowly approved a 60-unit apartment complex in South Norfolk for the formerly homeless. It's part of a regional plan to provide long-term, permanent housing.

Now, Beach officials and homeless advocates say they want to make sure the larger community is involved early on in the process.

That's smart, and it could ease tensions with residents.

One advantage the city has over Arlington County is space. The commonwealth's largest city should have many more options where a campus won't affect nearby neighborhoods.

"I know from my experience as a 25-year activist... that NIMBY-ism has been an issue," Teresa Stanley said. "It's almost a rite of passage." She's a committee member of BEACH (Bringing an End to All City Homelessness), a collaboration between the faith-based community, businesses, nonprofits and government.

Andy Friedman, who runs the Housing & Neighborhood Preservation department, says the plan is to get the community involved from the start "with all aspects."

Stanley told me the process can be tedious, but it's worthwhile.

When all sides have buy-in and feel they've been consulted, you can avoid disputes.

Then, everyone can focus on helping the people who need it most.

Roger Chesley, (757) 446-2329, roger.chesley@pilotonline.com, pilotonline.com/chesley