Ridge Shelter is now set to close June 30

Philly's largest homeless shelter is again targeted for closure, with replacement beds expected to be in place by summer.

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Ridge Shelter is now set to close June 30

POSTED: Monday, March 26, 2012, 1:49 PM

Philly's largest homeless shelter is again targeted for closure, with replacement beds expected to be in place by summer, city officials told City Council today. The new date for closing Ridge Shelter: June 30. The city has set aside $1.2 million in part to fund replacement beds, for the shelter, the closure of which has been repeatedly delayed as the city struggles to find alternative housing for the 120 men Ridge serves.

Council President Darrell Clarke told Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison and Budget Director Rebecca Rhynhart, "What I want to make sure personally is that individuals are relocated at the standards we've established in Philly, and we're not simply warehousing people so we can close a facility."

The administration believes sufficient beds will be in place by June 30. "We are trying to put together the contracts that we'd need to make sure the people serviced by that center would go elsewhere," Gillison said. "We understand we're on target."

An even better question: "Is the closing generated by the city or is the closing generated by the possibility of that site beng sold to a developer?" Councilwoman Marian Tasco wanted to know.

Given that the city is already drawing the ire of homeless advocates with a plan to curb outdoor feeding programs — just in time for the much-hyped opening of the Barnes in May — there's plenty of cause for concern. As CP's Isaiah Thompson reported in December: "Despite a number of promising new initiatives, the overall trend of homeless services has been a downward one, while the number and need of the homeless seem to be growing."

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