Homeless program may need new place of its own

Dan Kulin

Monday, May 8, 2006 | 7:24 a.m.

Family Promise, a shelter program that helps homeless Las Vegas families, is losing hope that it can avoid joining the ranks of the temporarily homeless.

Unless the Las Vegas City Council grants zoning and land-use changes opposed by some neighbors, Family Promise could be forced to move from its central office, a hub that offers a variety of services for the homeless.

Terry Lindemann, Family Promise's director, said "the word on the street" is that the nonprofit group will "get hammered" when it goes before the City Council later this month.

Councilman Lawrence Weekly, whose ward includes the organization's office at 502 Van Buren Ave., did not return the Sun's telephone calls.

But previously, Weekly has said that he is torn over the matter.

On one side is a highly praised organization that works with local churches, mosques and synagogues to find temporary shelter for homeless families.

On the other are neighbors, Weekly's constituents, who say they fear that giving Family Promise the necessary zoning approvals would open the door for other businesses and social services offices to flock to the residential area.

Family Promise's office, which looks more like the best-kept house on the block than an office, is a place where families can take showers, do laundry, search for work on the computers there and store their possessions. The clients do not sleep in the building.

With the council scheduled to vote on the matter May 17, Lindemann said, she is "still trying to find a way to fight" for the council approvals - but also is looking for new office space in case the agency loses.

The zoning conflict came to light in October when Family Promise applied for a $21,000 city grant. The grant application triggered a review, which revealed that Family Promise was operating without a business license and on property not zoned for office use.

The city awarded the nonprofit organization $10,000, but the money has been held up until the licensing and zoning questions are resolved.