Interactive Resource Center shares update on new security measures to address safety concerns

The Interactive Resource Center (IRC) announced in a press conference Tuesday new security measures to address community concerns the facility is becoming increasingly unsafe.

The IRC, located in Greensboro, was founded in 2009 to provide services for people without housing. But after expanding its hours earlier this year it faced growing scrutiny from residents and officials.

IRC Executive Director Kristina Singleton says the center is receiving criticism while also managing a sharp increase in those needing its services.

"People with nowhere else to sleep sometimes fill our parking lot — desperate people in the most difficult times of their lives can be frustrated and sometimes act out," Singleton said. "We've shouldered the wrath of individuals and groups who have expected us to be able to solve all the issues of homelessness across the city. That was never our work."

The center changed to a 24/7 model to address the rapidly increasing number of people without housing. This year's Point-In-Time Count showed 665 individuals experiencing homelessness, up from 452 last year.

But residents and local officials have been outspoken about growing safety concerns at the facility. The organization has now installed outside lighting, hired unarmed security and will soon launch a digitized check-in for guests.

Singleton said despite this it will still take a collective response to truly tackle the root causes of homelessness.

"We are in a humanitarian crisis with inadequate funding to address the scope of the problem and a severe shortage of affordable housing options. We are now a city with more people living on the streets than sleeping in shelter beds," she said.

Singleton said the IRC will discuss a funding request to remain in its 24/7 model with county officials next week.