Housing the Community Jefferson City continues search for permanent homeless shelter location after Jefferson City Council rejects rezoning request

Housing the Community Jefferson City continues its search for a permanent location for a homeless shelter and resource center after the Jefferson City Council rejected a rezoning request for 107 Adams St. The vote, which failed 6-3 with one abstention, ended the organization’s attempt to move its temporary shelter from the First Baptist Church to the vacant Adams Street building.

Scott Johnston, president of the board of directors for Housing the Community Jefferson City, emphasized that the organization remains committed to its mission. “The first immediate step was to communicate with all our friends and supporters that we were disappointed in the decision, but that we’re not going to be giving up,” he said. The group plans to regroup and continue its efforts to find a suitable location.

In a statement released Tuesday, Housing the Community Jefferson City acknowledged the concerns raised during the council meeting. “We will take what we have learned through this process, continue strengthening our plans and work with the City and community to identify a location where an expanded emergency shelter and resource center can operate responsibly and effectively,” the organization said.

Johnston expressed hope for collaboration with city officials and the business community in the future. “Moving forward, we hope that we can begin working more closely with both the city and the business community to find an appropriate location,” he added. The organization is currently evaluating its next steps for a permanent location.

The current shelter, located at the First Baptist Church, is half a mile from the proposed Adams Street site. Johnston noted that while some concerns about the proposal were legitimate, the organization and its opponents differed on the potential impact of the shelter on downtown development. “We are not perfectly clear on the criteria that’s being applied for our zoning application that was denied,” he said. “But we understand and feel some of the concerns were obviously legitimate and worth addressing.”

The rejection of the rezoning request highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing housing insecurity and providing care for vulnerable neighbors. As the organization continues its search, it remains focused on serving the community with compassion and integrity, reflecting the call to care for the marginalized found in Proverbs 31:8-9.

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