WINONA, Minn. — The nine-member city Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to host a homeless shelter. If the City Council concurs, a sheltering crisis could be averted before winter. The plan could simplify managing the Winona homeless support system operated by Catholic Charities. Currently there is a day shelter near downtown on Market Street and a 20-bed overnight shelter seven blocks away on Broadway at Wesley United Methodist Church. The Wesley site has been only an emergency stop-gap to address a crisis — one winter only — when Catholic Charities was squeezed out of an earlier overnight facility. There have been vociferous objections to several 24/7 replacement sites from businesses, landlords and residents with a not-in-my-backyard mentality.
Earlier: Temporary site OK’d for Winona homeless shelter
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Planning Commission
Members are appointed to three-year terms by the mayor subject to City Council approval: Dale Boettcher; Brian Buelow, chair; Matt Esc; James Goblirsch; Dan Hall; Rick Jaacks; Emily Kurash Casey; Paul Schollmeier; Peter Shortridge.