GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's been four months since the Interactive Resource Center in Greensboro expanded to 24 hours.
It offers resources and shelter for homeless people, but the amount of emergency calls to the center has jumped.
So far this year, nearly 1500 calls to the IRC have been made.
Back in 2022, there were 503 for the entire year.
City leaders said something needs to be done about this increase in calls.
The Interactive Resource Center provides services such as phones, showers, and medical care to those experiencing homelessness.
Earlier this year, they expanded their operations to 24/7.
Since then, calls have been made reporting medical emergencies, larceny, assault, and the list goes on.
Guilford County Commission Chair, Skip Alston said, “So there needs to be something more humane in order to be put in place in order to resolve this issue. It's not going to go away. And it's something that we together as the County Commissioners and City of Greensboro council members, we have to address this problem.”
During a heated discussion Tuesday night at the Greensboro City council meeting, council members weighed in on their thoughts.
Councilmember Hugh Holston said, “They don't have beds there. Is it the best environment? It's as good as it can be right now. Can it be better? Yes. Can we play a part in making it better? Yes, should we? Absolutely, but so should the IRC.”
Zack Matheny also shared his thoughts saying, “they're not operating in conditions that are good. And so it's almost as if we're keeping folks that probably need more help than the IRC can give and pushing families out into the street.”
We spoke to Mayor Nancy Vaughan on Thursday about this.
“What I think is more important is that with the influx of unhoused people that we’ve had in the city, there’s really no place for them to go, and I believe that the IRC has been a good community partner with us. They always try to meet our needs, and quite frankly, right now, I think they are swamped. I think they’ve got too many people there to do a good job, and we’ve got to find a way to assist them.”
A couple of months ago, the IRC leaders said that they've seen a steady increase in numbers since COVID-19. The number of those they serve has recently spiked again with the expansion of open hours.
City leaders mentioned a conversation needs to be had to help.