The Agony of Decision

The churches in my community are working together to try to help the homeless again this winter.  We did it for six weeks last winter and when there was no plan for the community this year, we felt led to do the same this year, only for close to six months. 

We are working with the city this year to try to get a conditional use permit for one location, and have faced obvious opposition...does anyone want a shelter in their neighborhood? 

The public hearing was held Monday (see article.)  I wasn't surprised at the protests...they were even more vocal at the informational meeting we held two weeks earlier.  The surprise to me was the agony on the faces of the commission about the decision to recommend the proposal or not.  You see, they were in a no-win situation.  How do you say "no, we won't help the homeless," without coming across as cold and callous.  Then again, how do you ignore the very people who pay the taxes to keep the community functioning? 

It was a very difficult decision for them, and because we have told them our fix is temporary until someone else steps up with a permanent solution, they recommended the proposal for this winter only.

Now the Common Council will have to make a decision on their recommendation.  The neighbors have forced a 3/4 vote vs. a simple majority vote.  But I don't know that it is a bad thing.  This is a tough decision for our community, and it merits strong support.

And I believe we should all be agonizing over this issue.  What is the best solution to the problem...how do we keep people feeling safe in their own homes...how do we care for the needy?   I'm proud to live in a community where God's people are willing to do what He has called them to do (Matt. 25) and the residents agonize over the situation of people less fortunate.