Executive Dooley Rejects NoCo Land Offer for Homeless Shelter

The topic of homelessness hasn't left some people's minds in the St. Louis area since homeless encampment sites were torn down last year.

Many have attempted to provide solutions, and recently New Life Evangelistic Center's Rev. Larry Rice attempted to donate land to St. Louis County to construct a homeless shelter.

It's two vacant lots in the 3900 block of Lada off of Natural Bridge near Bel-Ridge, according to KTVI.

County Executive Charlie Dooley told rice "no-thanks" and said he'd rather align with community partners.

“You got to build it, you got to staff it. All these things need to be done," he told KMOX. “We’re not going to turn anything down but just because you presented those sites to us doesn’t give us a clear path to getting it done.”

Dooley said the county is looking at partnerships, which would expand on existing services for the homeless, rather than opening a new shelter.

When the homeless encampments were demolished last year, specifically Hopeville, the residents were moved to more permanent addresses.

St. Louis City’s director of human services, Bill Siedhoff, told KMOX at that time about 13 Hopeville residents were moved into apartments. The other 13 or so were moved to a motel near Hanley and Interstate 270.

It was not specified whether that motel was the Days Inn in the City of Hazelwood, the Motel 6 on Florissant side just under the overpass, or another others a mile or so away. Both the aforementioned are located at off I-270 and the Hanley/Graham exit.

To read Rice's reaction to Dooley's declination, click here.