Norman homeless shelter closes doors for good
The shelter’s owner said he won’t renew the lease but the fight to open another shelter is still ongoing.
The shelter’s owner said he won’t renew the lease but the fight to open another shelter is still ongoing.
The shelter’s owner said he won’t renew the lease but the fight to open another shelter is still ongoing.
A Norman homeless shelter at the center of a months-long relocation fight has closed its doors for good.
The shelter’s owner said he won’t renew the lease but the fight to open another shelter is still ongoing.
The city told KOCO 5 that even with the shelter closing, the fight isn’t over.
"I would assume that people would feel safer knowing where those forty people are sleeping at night versus having them walking around and not knowing what’s going on," said Brandi Studley, Norman councilmember, Ward 1.
It has been a controversial battle since the fall determining where to move the homeless shelter in Norman.
"Some of the people in the warming shelter were employed or are employed and that’s the only place to lay their head at night while we’re waiting on housing," Studley said.
Now, the shelter is closed and the people have to find a new place to stay.
However, the city is taking action. Through Thursday, public and private entities like churches and community groups can apply to partner with the city on a new facility.
The city hopes the partnership will lead to a one-year grant starting in August.
The whole proposal and application can be found here. In the meantime, the city said the emergency shelter at Salvation Army in Norman is still open.