ROANOKE, Va. – Homelessness is an issue that’s been simmering for years - but now it seems people in Roanoke have reached a boiling point.
“I think our elected leaders need to do better,” nearby resident Candace Poling said.
The tragic murder of Susan Williams has brought the issue of homelessness to the forefront of everyone’s minds.
But as former mayor Sherman Lea says, it’s an issue with many layers.
“Mental health issues and domestic issues that present violent situations,” Lea said.
But as challenging as they are, he says there needs to be a change.
“Those are things that are tough to deal with, but we need to do the best we can with what we have,” he said.
10 News Anchor Abbie Coleman spent the day in Crystal Spring, speaking with business owners about their concerns when it comes to the homeless population in Roanoke.
None of the owners wanted to go on camera, but they shared their experiences with Coleman.
Owners say they’re beyond fed up.
From picking up needles and feces in front of their stores to dealing with loitering, they tell us they’re scared of losing business.
Every single business owner we spoke with says they can attribute their problem to one thing: the trolley.
It drops off multiple times a day, bringing people from all over the city.”
The Crystal Spring business owners tell us the trolley is supposed to be a free public transit option, to drop people near the hospital. Instead, they’ve found it drops people who are homeless right in front of their stores.
It’s an issue that’s caused people like Candace Poling to reconsider Roanoke as a place to spend time.
“Why can’t we fix it before it becomes an issue like some of the other big cities where it’s rampant?” Poling asked.
Everyone we’ve spoken with says it’s a fine line between compassion and crime.
“It’s sad. That needs to change. We need better options for care for these people.”
We reached out to the Rescue Mission about this fine line.
Homelessness is a complex issue in our community and it’s a challenge we all must work on together. The Rescue Mission is here every day to provide emergency shelter, meals, and resources to those in need. Besides a bed, we offer three meals each day, case management, addiction recovery services, and medical and mental health support.
We work closely with local organizations, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and businesses to ensure that our guests are connected to the resources they need to move toward stability.
Our mission is to help individuals break the cycle of homelessness. We are committed to empowering individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve long-term stability.
Roanoke Rescue Mission
