GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) -- The pallet homes have been taken down for the final time in Greensboro.
In March, the city announced the replacement project meant to help those in need of housing. It's called the Housing First Project.
Housing First
Instead of temporary housing, the city will pay the rent for 20 individuals and 10 families, and they want to have people moved in by the beginning of June.
25 different property managers, companies and landlords have signed on so far.
Director of the Community Safety Department for Greensboro Latisha McNeil says there's a lot of interest already, leading up to a workshop on April 27 for landlords to learn all about the city's new Housing First project.
The city is looking for landlords willing to house 20 individuals and 10 families. The landlord will receive a $1,000 incentive per unit on top of the rent. McNeill says it's a solution-based plan.
"We're looking at two years for individuals from start to finish ... We recognize that if we are addressing homelessness with individuals with higher acuity, maybe they have more interaction with EMS or law enforcement, they may need more resources and support," McNeil said.
McNeil says her team has been working through the idea since the end of 2024. She shares the biggest issue the city is trying to get in front of.
"Making sure that we are identifying the right people first. We want to make sure we're doing that with fairness and equity. Having a process in place to show how we are selecting individuals and families is really critical for us," McNeil said.
Keeping Cool
The other part of the pilot plan is to expand the hours of cooling centers for people in need this summer.
"We've had a strategy to help people during the day. This is more so focusing on the evening time when, traditionally, we didn't have the services available," McNeil said.
At 2 p.m. on Thursday, the city will host a virtual workshop for any agencies that are interested.
McNeil says they're looking for two official cooling centers for the summer. She says the center will be paid to use the space. She says the city will staff the cooling center during the evening, starting in June and going until August.
"You know we have sites during the day ... that are open ... This is more so for the evening time, so this is something that's over and above what's already being provided," McNeil said.
McNeil says her team has been talking to people who stand to benefit from the program about what will make the transition easier.
McNeil says anyone who has the space to be a cooling center in the evenings should join the meeting on Thursday at 2 p.m.
On April 27, the city will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. at Barber Park for landlords interested in taking part in the housing initiative.