(Editor's note: This following was distributed to the Ballard News-Tribune through an email to community members.)

Dear Neighbors,

This is the second email update sent to those people who have expressed an interest in providing interim housing for men in a SHARE shelter at Our Redeemer's Calvary building.

During the past few weeks we have heard from many neighbors. Thank you for asking questions and expressing your support and concerns. Since a community meeting on February 26, representatives from Our Redeemer's, the SHARE men's shelter, and neighbors of the Calvary building have met twice to more clearly understand how the shelter will operate, concerns, and expectations. These meetings have been informative and productive. Another meeting is planned.

Our Redeemer's is currently working on an agreement with SHARE, which will govern shelter operations. The Calvary building is expected to be a safe, dry place for up to 20 homeless men each evening for a year. The men are self-governed, with staff support from SHARE. They have an excellent recent accountability record. Each evening the shelter participants will arrive by bus between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

They will provide security and care for the church, inside and around the building. Each morning, they will be up, out, and headed to their jobs by 7 a.m. The shelter participants will not be present in the neighborhood during the day.

We plan to schedule another community meeting sometime in the next two weeks, after our agreement with SHARE is complete. We will send an invitation several days in advance.

As a community in the model of Christ, we welcome all people, including those without homes. We continue to value your suggestions and questions as we try to be a compassionate resource for people who are struggling economically and need a safe place to sleep.

You are welcome to email the joint task force at: sheltertaskforce@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
Ending Homelessness Task Force