By Jordyn Davis, Reflect Alabama Fellow
Scattered along some busy streets of downtown Birmingham, as well as around highway underpasses, are tents, chairs and tattered blankets that provide just enough warmth to survive frigid nights on the street. Those items point to the people in Birmingham experiencing homelessness – a group city leaders have vowed to help.
One part of that effort is Home For All, an initiative launched in 2023 that will soon open new shelters. The pilot program will span 12 months and involves building small pallet homes to house those who would otherwise be living on the streets. It includes wraparound services such as access to social workers and warm meals.
Backed by $2.4 million in funds from the city of Birmingham, the first 14 microshelters have been under construction in recent months behind Faith Chapel Care Center, a ministry that performs outreach to unhoused people, just west of downtown Birmingham. The organization’s executive director Debra Blaylock has been working on the program since 2023 and helped develop the plan ultimately presented to city leaders.
“We’re primarily looking for that group that’s falling through the cracks for no other reason than that they cannot stay in congregant housing. The pallet homes will give that individual a place where they can feel safe, be warm and will be fed,” Blaylock said. “Our ultimate goal is to be able to place them in permanent housing of their own.”
The shelters are small, big enough for a bed and desk, but they also have shelving, windows and a lockable door for privacy. The site has 24/7 security.
This effort wouldn’t have been possible without many community partnerships, according to Blaylock.
“God said collaborate and I don’t ever want that to get lost in any story,” Blaylock said.
Blaylock said those partnerships are critical for offering the array of services they hope to provide – from dental visits to help with government documents.
Anne Rygiel, executive director for the Mid-Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross, was one of the first to assist Blaylock to develop the plans that were presented to the city.
She said these small homes are not intended to compete with shelters that are already operating in Birmingham.
“This is literally for street homeless individuals. And that’s where we’re going to see that needle being moved,” Rygiel said. “We’re going to see some impacts on people that are living in the street. Because there’s no dignity in that. That’s what this project can provide is dignity.”
Home For All’s first 14 microshelters are scheduled to open by the beginning of April and will be fully-operated by Faith Chapel Care Center. The other lead partner, Urban Alchemy, which is a California-based nonprofit assisting with Birmingham’s homelessness effort, is in the process of locating a site to build a second community of pallet homes.
“Anything new, it’s not going to be seamless, but it will always be worthwhile,” Rygiel said. “The more people we can get on board, the better the circumstances and outcome.”