Providence House, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and support services to homeless families, is planning to expand its campus in Shreveport. The expansion, which is estimated to cost up to $7 million, will more than double the facility’s capacity and provide additional services to families in need.

Community Reaction

The proposed expansion has drawn both support and criticism from the community. While some residents and business owners have expressed concerns about the impact of the expansion on the area’s historic character and property values, others have voiced their support for the nonprofit’s mission and the need for more services to help homeless families.

The city’s Metropolitan Planning Commission has already voted to send the application forward to the City Council with a recommendation for approval. The council will make the final decision on the proposal over the next four weeks.

Providence House currently serves approximately 20 families and provides support services such as education support, job training, and childcare services. The organization has a strict policy prohibiting alcohol and drug use and provides on-site security and 24-hour surveillance.

Concerns and Support

Some residents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the expansion on the area’s traffic, parking, and historic buildings. However, others have emphasized the importance of providing services to homeless families and the positive impact that Providence House has had on the community.

According to Sharpel Welch, the director of Providence House, the organization has a waiting list of 73 families and is in need of more space to provide services. Welch emphasized that the families served by Providence House are not participating in loitering or public camping and are instead focused on finding permanent housing and employment.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.