Overview
- City Council voted 14–1 to buy the facility at 419 Emancipation in EaDo, with Edward Pollard the lone no vote after delays for additional community input.
- The low-barrier center is designed to temporarily shelter up to about 320 people and connect clients to medical, behavioral-health and housing services.
- Officials are aiming for an early 2026 opening and expect to select an operator by year’s end, with annual operating costs projected at $10–$14 million.
- The city plans to cover the first three years with roughly $37 million from disaster-relief allocations, while long-term funding remains unspecified.
- To address neighborhood concerns, the city will increase police presence with an on-site HPD substation and a relocated Homeless Outreach Team, consider expanding the civility ordinance, and phase capacity with a rear entrance to avoid queuing.