El Ayuntamiento enfrenta plazo de financiamiento para el centro de acogida de personas sin hogar

The El Paso City Council will decide within weeks whether to fund the Welcome Center, a crucial intake and emergency shelter facility, before federal pandemic relief dollars expire at the end of August, according to El Paso Matters.

The council is considering allocating $380,000 in American Rescue Plan Act interest earnings to keep the center operational for six months while it seeks additional funding sources. A vote is expected Tuesday as part of the city's budget presentation.

The Welcome Center, located at 201 E. Ninth Ave. in South El Paso, opened in August 2022 using pandemic relief funds to provide emergency overnight shelter, food, showers, clothes and medical screenings. The facility operates as an intake hub where individuals are assessed and referred to longer-term support and housing.

The center's annual operating costs are about $720,000. Since opening, it has received roughly $684,000 per year from ARPA funds and about $349,000 from Community Development Block Grants administered by the city since 2022.

City Rep. Chris Canales, who has pushed to preserve funding, said he is "pretty hopeful" the council will approve the allocation. A similar vote failed June 23 when two council members reversed their support, creating a tie broken by Mayor Renard Johnson against the proposal.

Canales noted that the center has been "funded by the city, but not with city money," as the city has administered federal funds available since the pandemic. He suggested the city should consider using general fund dollars for ongoing operations.

Marcos Antonio Rivera, 33, represents one of the center's beneficiaries. After spending two years on the streets following his release from prison, Rivera said the adjustment period and "culture shock" led to homelessness. During a recent three-day outreach campaign, volunteers approached about 225 people living on the streets. Rivera and about 15 others accepted assistance and were taken to the Welcome Center.

John Martin, executive director of the Opportunity Center for the Homeless since 2010, operates the Welcome Center. Martin said the facility provides "a distinct location where they can come in, they can feel welcome" and receive immediate care and assessment.

If funding is not approved, the city said it will adjust "operational protocols" to continue providing outreach and service referrals. However, advocates warn that without a 24/7 intake hub, some homeless individuals may end up in jail, hospitals, or remain on the streets.