Greensboro City Council approves six months of funding for Interactive Resource Center

The Greensboro City Council unanimously voted on Monday to approve six months of funding for the Interactive Resource Center.

The Council approved $463,000 in funding for the IRC after postponing the decision to allow the organization time to determine how to address safety concerns. The money represents a portion of the nonprofit's request of around $1.5 million, which would be split between the county and city.

The decision will help keep the IRC in a 24/7 model for now while supporting a plan to add additional security.

Greensboro NAACP President Kay Brown, who also sits on the IRC's board, said what occurs near the organization should not be scapegoated to them or politicized.

"What I want to implore for all of us is that we don't turn our backs on those who are experiencing some of the worst financial hardships that anyone in here has ever had to experience, or maybe ever will experience," Brown said.

Neighbors and business owners in recent weeks spoke out about the nonprofit possibly creating an unsafe environment. The concerns grew as the day center moved to an around-the-clock model to help an increasing number of people without housing in the city.

Councilmember Hugh Holston said what the nonprofit is facing is only the tip of the iceberg as eviction and rental rates remain high.

"It's important that we fund these services, but that we also get what we are expecting when we fund these services because we are paying with taxpayer dollars," Holston said.

The IRC is requesting the next round of funding to be considered in November.