OCEANO, Calif.- The town of Oceano could soon be the new home of a homeless community center, but as Central Coast News found out some residents are worried it will only make the homeless problem worse.
"I know they need to have some place to go, but you know, the rest of us have to work for a living. It's too bad that they get so much handed and they can't go out and work for a living," says Hazel Winslett, an Oceano Resident.
Hazel Winslett says she can't even fathom the thought that she may be living just a few feet away from where a center, that would be available to the homeless, could potentially be built.
People like, Mary Bordan say they can relate to not having anywhere to go.
"I've been on the street for almost 7 years now and it's rough, it's rough especially for a female. I think it would help, it would help to something. It's not all drugs, it's not all alcohol, some people have issues that need help and addressed," says Mary Bordan.
The Five Cities Homeless Coalition addressed the proposal at Tuesday night's public meeting, but many took the podium and fired back.
"I have family members that are homeless and with that understanding I am absolutely opposed to a facility placed in our downtown," says Matt Guerro, an Oceano resident.
Executive Director, Janna Nicholos says the facility won't just be for one group.
"We do not envision a center that solely is serving the homeless, we envision a center that very much benefits services to the community….to accommodate everything from meals and laundry to provide job training," says Janna Nichols, Executive Director of Five Cities Homeless Coalition.
The coalition says they have been working on shelter plans since 2007. The homeless coalition group hopes to raise at least another $5 million for the project.
