GSO City Council delays funding Interactive Resource Center amid safety concerns

The Greensboro City Council on Tuesday delayed approving funding for the Interactive Resource Center, a facility that provides services for the unhoused, until the organization provides an action plan to address ongoing safety concerns. 

The IRC, which was founded in 2009, expanded its hours earlier this year as homelessness increased.

Since then, some neighboring residents and business owners, including Vickie Murray, have shared concerns with city officials about increased crime in the area.

"I have very few people that just walk in," Murray said. "They call and say they're coming, and I unlock the door and let them in. That is not good business. I cannot run a good business if I am in fear."

IRC officials say they are managing an unprecedented rise in the number of people seeking help. Preliminary numbers from nonprofit Partners Ending Homelessness showed more than 600 people experiencing homelessness across Guilford County this year, up from 452 last year.

At the meeting, housing advocates told council members it's unfair to expect the organization to manage the crisis alone.

Council ultimately voted to delay approving $300,000 in funding to the center to give the nonprofit more time to deliver a proposal answering concerns.

Councilmember Tammi Thurm said she understood the pressure the nonprofit faces but its leadership hasn't clearly explained how it's managing challenges.

"We don't know, and you're not telling us, and I've asked you please communicate directly to council with what your successes are, what you're doing, the progress you're making," Thurm said. "We've heard nothing back."

IRC Board Chair Jim King told council the center may be forced to close without additional city funding.

"We're going to go back and reset and we're going to look for other alternatives of funding that we can count on because I got to tell you, I can't count on the city," King said.

He said the funds being considered were already well under what the IRC requested.

The council is expected to continue the discussion at a work session on July 25.