Transitional shelter in Banning faces closure, sparking community outrage
Luis Avila
BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Banning is planning to close Opportunity Village, its only transitional shelter for unhoused residents, leaving dozens of people with nowhere to go. The decision has sparked concern and uncertainty among shelter residents, as well as criticism from community members.
Milaiza, a resident at the shelter, says she was notified over the weekend by the city’s Director of Homeless Services that the shelter would be closing in 90 days.
“Several of us have gotten full time jobs, expecting housing and proper placement so we can afford our housing but now we’re being told that’s not the case… I feel deceived.”
Milaiza, Opportunity Village Resident
On Tuesday, a group of community members rallied outside Banning City Hall in support of the shelter, including local residents, volunteers, business owners and former city officials.
Former Banning Mayor Alberto Sanchez attended the gathering and voiced concerns about the closure’s impact.
“It would add a lot more. There’s a lot of people who want to get clean, they want to co-exist with our community, be a part of it, and this program does that.”
Alberto Sanchez, Former Banning Mayor
Sanchez also pointed to what he sees as a lack of understanding among current city leadership.
“Leadership doesn’t understand what’s happening in our community… The problem is I don’t think they’ve come out here to see the problem for themselves.”
Alberto Sanchez, Former Banning Mayor
In a statement to News Channel 3, Mayor Sheri Flynn stated:
“We are doing a gradual shut down over the next 90 days of OPV. The residents have been notified. We did not get the third round of grants from the state to keep the shelter going and it costs the City over $600,000 in employee salaries a year to run it. The cost to success ratio was not productive. We will be transitioning those presently there to local, county , and state services that are available to them.”
As the threat of closure lingers, residents are left wondering what comes next.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.