DOVER, De. - The Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing is was hoping to move just down the block from their current home on Forrest Street.
The new location Dover Interfaith Mission was looking at on W. Division Street would allow for expanded services, including a day room and more beds. It would also have created a source of income for the non-profit to continue funding the rehabilitation work they do for homeless men in the area.
"The building that we had gave us the opportunity to continue to rent office space which would have given us a steady income stream needed to pay for the building. So that was ideal. And I would say there's no cash flow in a homeless shelter. You know when someone comes in he doesn't bring money or a voucher or support from anywhere. We just do it," explained chairwoman Jeanine Kleimo.
But now, city council has voted down the motion to rezone the area to allow the shelter to move in.
Now they are racing against the clock to find a new, suitable home before their lease runs out next year.
"Opposition should have come to us sooner. We're reasonable people, I think it was based more on misconceptions and fear. And we would have been happy to talk with people," said Kleimo of those who petitioned council not to vote to approve the motion, which included neighboring businesses Benny Smith Funeral Home and Emerald City Wash World.
The problem, according to Kleimo and confirmed with the city zoning office, is that a shelter can only be housed in an 'institutional office,' or 'IO' zoning code. That, according to the city, is usually an area zoned for schools, churches, etc. They are not readily available, hence the rezoning petition.
"So the next step is, go back to the drawing board, and find some place to go," explained Councilman Fred Neil, who voted in favor of the rezoning, says he will be helping Dover Interfaith Mission and other city officials to find a new home for the non-profit.
"I think you have to remember that the IFM, what they are doing is an absolute bargain for the city. We do not have in the charter the ability to do anything that may actually require in terms of social services or health or the like. So therefore it becomes important that what their doing is producing or what I call recycling taxpayers," explained Neil.
That search will begin, according to Neil, in the new year.
