FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — “The demand is great, we make decisions that we wouldn’t normally make about how many people we serve. Sometimes we tolerate more things within the shelter and more behavior within the shelter than what we would normally do. And everybody gets really, really stressed,” said Jan Eliassen, Gladys Ray Shelter. On any given night, over a…
2001 1st Avenue North, FargoFARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners vote 3-2 to relocate the Downtown Engagement Center to 2001 1st Avenue North near Brewhalla. Commissioners Piepkorn and Turnberg voting against the move with Piepkorn stating the taxpayers will be on the hook. The city will pay $350,000 per year for base rent for two years for the over…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — It was a full house at City Hall as many came to comment about the relocation of the Downtown Engagement Center. The current center, located nearly a half a block away from City Hall has served nearly ninety people per day. “You just got to have the courage to walk in there. And if you need…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Nearly five years after opening, a motion to move the Downtown Engagement Center has been approved. The move comes after concerns from several commissioners and business owners in the downtown area. “It is an insult to blanket statement that this is a homeless problem. The problem is drug use and mental illness,” said Michelle Turnberg, Fargo…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota is one of many states that operates the nationwide operation Job Corps with a small number of staff. On Tuesday, the only staff member left at the Fargo Job Corps office was told he was being laid off. “Literally learning on Friday, I’m going to lose my job sometime this week, and then learning…
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — The city of Fargo will start enforcing the new ordinance at the end of this month. While there are very few camps left near the downtown area, the concern is what will happen next. “Historically, it’s easier for people to stay outdoors in the nicer months. But that also was dependent on them having places to…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners agreed to find a new location for the Downtown Engagement Center. Mayor Tim Mahoney has been working with the governor and the State Department of Human Services to secure $5 million from the state and $2.5 million from downtown business partners. The city would also provide $2.5 million. “We’ve come up with two…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Over the past year, the concerns of homelessness have been a rising concern for many in the Fargo and Moorhead community. Nationally in the past year homelessness has increased by 18 percent. “Homelessness has been on the rise in our community. It is actually in fact reaching crisis levels and especially with a region like ours…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney says the city will take a step back and play a more supportive role to end homelessness. FM Coalition to End Homelessness and United Way of Cass Clay presented a plan for the next 30, 60 and 90 days to reduce the number of people who are homeless. They will count on…
Fargo City Commissioner Michelle TurnbergFARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — An urgent move by Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg to address the homeless situation as the temperatures drop is voted down by the commission. Turnberg’s proposal called “Operation Safe Fargo” was defeated 3-2, with her only support coming from Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. She proposed outlawing homeless camping on any city property and…
