After more than a decade of searching, the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services has found a location for a new shelter for homeless men. Once approved, the IFC will be able to permanently close the shelter in downtown Chapel Hill.

In August 2010, the Chamber Board unanimously adopted the following statement: "[T]he Board of Directors of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce endorse the closing of the men's homeless shelter in Downtown Chapel Hill and the opening of a new facility on Homestead Road."

As a member of the Orange County 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, I believe that this relocation is good for our community and good for our business. One of our goals at the chamber is to help create a thriving, sustainable community, and I believe that a new transitional housing facility at this location is a better location for transitioning homeless men to housing, and that the closing of the existing facility is the right thing for the health of our downtown.

At 7 p.m. on Monday, the Chapel Hill Town Council will hold a public hearing on approving the new location on Homestead Road. I am asking our members, business representatives and the greater community to come to Town Hall and support the closing of the downtown facility and the opening of a new facility in a new location

I also urge concerned citizens to send an email of support to mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org and tell them about your support for a new facility on Homestead Road.

Thank you in advance for your support, and I hope to see you at the public hearing on Monday.

Aaron Nelson

President and CEO Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce