Frequently asked questions
Q: Doesn’t the Interfaith Shelter Project, by providing a low barrier shelter, enable guests to continue abusing substances or failing to act responsibly in getting a job?
A: Quite the contrary. Substance abuse is seldom a conscious choice. It is usually a symptom of underlying problems. Spending the night in a warm, safe place can possibly enable those who are capable of taking the first steps to begin to address their problems. Not everyone can do so without professional help. Last year several guests did stop drinking and arrived at the shelter every night very sickly and with severe delirium tremors. These people heroically tried to adjust their ways, but they needed more help. The winter shelter initiative is a bridge to more inclusive solutions that connect homeless folks with rehab programs and a permanent residence. We will be tracking these relevant statistics this winter so we can learn more about the profile of our homeless folks.
Q: Isn’t the winter shelter likely to draw more homeless folks from surrounding communities and thereby strain still further Bloomington’s many resources?
A: That was not Trinity’s experience last year. A small percentage of sheltered adults who were just passing through town stayed a few nights. The vast majority of shelter guests were local to Monroe County. Bloomington’s housing is notoriously expensive. People who need housing look elsewhere. The five-month winter shelter is a boon for local people, but not an attraction for “outsiders”.
