Salinas residents voice concerns over homeless shelter location

Controversy is brewing over where Monterey County wants to put a new homeless shelter, with some saying the spot is too close to a school.

On Wednesday, city councilmembers from Salinas held a community meeting at the Veterans Memorial Park off of East Laurel Drive to hear the concerns of residents.

Over a dozen people turned up and at times shouted in frustration at Monterey County’s unanimous decision to build a new homeless warming shelter on the land nearby.

Most of the people who came were opposed, saying it is too close to the Mission Trails ROP where about 400 students go daily.

Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns says they already deal with homeless there stealing and starting fires. There are also concerns about what would happen to the nearby Vietnam veterans memorial if a shelter were built nearby.

The people at the meeting said they are not against the homeless.

“Our homeless need help, our homeless need shelter. But there are so many other places to do it. Why in the center of Salinas? Why here? Why not on the outskirts of Monterey? Why not on the outskirts of Carmel? Why not on the outskirts of Marina?” said Maria Valladeres, a Salinas resident.

56 percent of all homeless in Monterey County are found in Salinas. One advantage to having the shelter here is that the land is already owned by the county.

Since the county has already approved the project site, it is now up to the Salinas City council to decide whether they will approve it as well.

Both the county and the city have to agree on a location before any shelter is built.