Welcome Center to stop operations Aug. 31
Lauren Bly
Editor’s Note: The original story said the Welcome Center will cease operations Aug. 1. It has been updated to say it will shut down Aug. 31.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– El Paso City Council voted against allocating one-time funding of $430,000 from American Rescue Plan Act investment interest revenue. As a result, the Welcome Center for the homeless will stop operations Aug. 31.
The Welcome Center, which provides initial support services to homeless people through the Opportunity Center for the Homeless.
El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote.
“August 1st will be the last day that we will operate the welcome center and that’s ran by the Opportunity Center,” said Nickole Heater Rodriguez, the Director of Community and Human Development.
The Opportunity Center told ABC-7 the Welcome Center will close later in the month.
Rodriguez said that on average the Welcome Center helps 50 people a day.
“And those people will be on the street in front of businesses, in front of homes. There will definitely be a more visible effect,” said District 8 City Rep. Chris Canales.
The council initially approved using the ARPA interest savings for the center. However, District 1 City Representative Alejandra Chávez later moved to reconsider her vote. A second vote ended in a tie, and Mayor Renard Johnson cast the deciding vote against using the funds.
The decision drew emotional reactions from several council members.
“Another sad day with this council. I’m dismayed. I’m disappointed, brokenhearted by this vote today,” one council member said. “It sends a really clear message where our priorities are in this city.”
City officials warned the closure will have immediate consequences, saying people who rely on the center’s services will instead be on the streets.
“There will definitely be a more visible effect,” officials said, noting more people may end up in front of businesses and homes.
In an interview, Johnson said he supports finding a long-term solution rather than relying on one-time funding.
“There’s a number that we’re going to still continue to fund,” Johnson said. “I don’t think we’re done looking at this. I think we need to go in and really come up with a sustainable model.”
Opportunity Center Executive Director John Martin said the Welcome Center serves about 1,200 people each year and provides a separate entry point for families and vulnerable individuals seeking help.
“If you’ve got a mother with young children that would like to come in to receive services, you’re not going to feel comfortable walking into a facility that houses adult men,” Martin said. “It’s the entryway.”
Martin said he was disappointed with the council’s decision because the focus should remain on helping people in need.
District 7 City Representative Lily Limón, who voted in favor of the funding, criticized the outcome.
“Council turned its back on the homeless people in this community. It was clear — you can’t say anything else but that,” Limón said.
Limón said she hopes the community will rally behind the Welcome Center and that future funding efforts will continue. Johnson also said he hopes the issue returns to the council for further consideration before the center closes.