COMMUNITY FEATURE by local governments, even when alternative shelters aren’t available. Grant Pass meant the City of Alamosa could close St. Benedict, which the City seriously considered doing this past August. Ultimately, the City chose to keep St. Benedict because it had become a successful way to deliver services and had proved successful in preventing unsanctioned sites from popping up in residential or business areas. Follow-up discussions lead to new camp rules created in October by the City Council. The most significant change requires individuals to show progress toward overcoming homelessness or face eviction. Individuals can now only live in the camp for six months. After that, they are evaluated on their progress and may be given a six-month extension. There is no camp manager, and the city police will enforce the rules and evaluations. The police can now ban individuals from the camp for violating the rules. It takes a letter from the Alamosa Police Chief to be reinstated to the camp. The Alamosa Citizen reported in August that Alamosa Police Chief George Dingfelder advocated for closing the St. Benedict Camp. Coleman said he believes the new, more restrictive rules seek to ensure the safety of the Alamosa community and the unhoused individuals residing at the camp. “I want [individuals experiencing homelessness] to have a “ THE CAMP’S NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE IT DOESN’T REALLY GIVE PEOPLE THE SECURITY THEY NEED TO FIND A JOB, GET A HOME, AND MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIVES.” place to stay until they get themselves together,” Coleman said. “They are safe and secure at St. Benedict, and we don’t have bad actors over there destroying, being destructive, and causing harm. So, I believe it can be that in the future. But it’s going to take a lot of effort of several different parties to bring about that change we want to see.” But Coleman said he struggles with some of the problems he associates with homelessness, like drug use. Coleman voted in November with the rest of the city council to reject a year-round low-barrier shelter to be run by La Puente. Coleman said providing low-barrier services allows people to continue with what he sees as behavioral issues that makes the community unsafe. “[The vote] was also based upon the huge public outcry that we’ve heard, and the public wants people to be accountable for their actions,” Coleman said. Alamosa City Councilor Jan Vigil believes the St. Benedict camp strikes a balance between those experiencing homelessness and the wider community. “I think our community has really stepped up to address homelessness and is trying to address the needs of folks [experiencing homelessness]. We have to balance their needs and the needs of people in town, businesses, homeowners, and property owners,” Vigil said. “Trying to find that balance has been difficult because homeless folks are our citizens, and they have rights, as well. We need to be CHRISTI BUCHANAN AND RICKY PLUNKETT BIKE THROUGH ALAMOSA TO RUN ERRANDS. 10 DENVER VOICE January 2025
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