Jackson community meets to discuss concerns surrounding homeless shelter

JACKSON, Tenn. — Residents and local leaders met earlier Tuesday evening to discuss concerns about a homeless shelter being built.

Area Relief Ministries is currently constructing their newest turning point homeless shelter on 424 Lexington Avenue in Jackson. County Commissioner Shelia Godwin tells us that the new shelter could bring issues for nearby families.

“They’re concerned about the environment and the people in the community. We already have a home in the community can with another homecoming in their will be more people in the community and they feel that could be hurtful to the community,” said Godwin.

Godwin says she was never notified by ARM about the project. ARM Executive Director Fred McKinnie expresses his regret if there was poor communication.

“We want to let the community know that we’re here and would love to continue to talk to them to partnership with ARM and have conversation to see what we can do. Sometimes you can’t fix those thing that happening now but going forward we want to make sure that we are paying attention to the voice of the citizens and try our best to make sure their being heard,” said McKinnie.

The two sides did not reach an agreement during the meeting and construction for the shelter is still set to continue.

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