READING, Pa. – Reading’s mayor, state officials and Opportunity House leaders are calling on Reading City Council to reconsider a recent vote.
They gathered at Opportunity House Thursday to make it known they want council to hold a special meeting to award nearly three million dollars in federal funding so Opportunity House can buy an apartment building on South 4th Street.
The group wants to provide 20 affordable apartments to help people the people they serve get out of the shelters. Council voted 4-3 against approval on Monday.
“We still have time to do what is right. I believe in building a stronger Reading. I believe in that mission, but it must start with housing, it must start with compassion, and it must start now,” said Mayor Eddie Moran.
The council members who voted no said they had not been provided with all the necessary information and wanted to see an independent appraisal of the 20-unit building.
Opportunity House says 87 people stay at the shelter each night, and nearly half have lived there for at least six months.
One man who stays at the shelter says more resources are needed in every city.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen veterans come through the door – myself included. I’ve seen women and children come through that door. They’re now given resources so they can move out of here into properties like the one on 4th Street,” said Michael, an Opportunity House resident.
There’s no word if council will call a special meeting.
In a statement earlier this week, council said it’s committed to finding other projects for the funding.