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Green Bay council approves conditional use permit for Safe Haven Hope Center with six-month review and police disposal requirement
Summary
After extensive public testimony, the Green Bay Common Council approved a conditional use permit for Safe Haven Hope Center at 315 South Jefferson (a supervised, harm-reduction residential program for people experiencing homelessness). Council added two conditions: a six-month status report to council and required coordination with the Green Bay Police Department on disposal of confiscated drugs.
The Green Bay Common Council voted to approve a conditional use permit for the Safe Haven Hope Center at 315 South Jefferson, a small supervised housing program designed to serve people who do not fit traditional shelter models.
Supporters, clients and volunteers described the program as a harm-reduction, housing-first model. "Safe Haven Hope Center is designed specifically for that high need group," said Sarah Hansen, who identified herself as living at 2426 Deppery Street, citing Brown County point-in-time counts that she said find roughly 80 to 125 people sleeping outside nightly. Applicant representatives and residents described a household-style program intended to serve up to 20 adults in a structured setting with peer recovery supports.
Kathy Aretto, who testified on behalf of the Safe Haven organizers, described program operations and safeguards. She said the organization currently has nine residents, provided a 243-page operations plan to council, and is working to certify staff through state and federal training programs. "We're a supervised and accountable program," Aretto told the council, adding that the group will track police and EMS calls and respond to neighbor grievances.
St. John's Ministries' executive director Jesse Burnett urged context for existing shelters, saying his organization operates a low-barrier emergency shelter and highlighting eligibility constraints that leave some people without options. "We shelter people regardless of gender identity," Burnett said, and emphasized that other shelters have capacity limits and different rules.
Council members debated oversight and safety conditions. Alder Prophet moved — and the council adopted — an amendment requiring the applicant to return to the common council approximately six months after permit approval to report on operations and compliance with conditions. Alder Grant offered and the council adopted a second amendment requiring the applicant to work with the Green Bay Police Department on safe disposal of any confiscated illicit substances rather than leaving the step optional.
Alder Hutchison moved to approve the permit as amended, and the council approved the motion by voice vote.
On operational questions posed by alder members, Aretto said staff will include individuals with lived experience, trauma-informed training is planned, and the organization is working with partners for peer support and certificates; she said the separate Safe Haven Hope Center and Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary are distinct entities and that a separate 501(c)(3) application is pending with the IRS. Funding sources were described as a small steady stipend from a funder, ongoing fundraising and grant-seeking; precise long-term funding commitments were not specified in testimony.
The council recorded the approval as amended; conditions attached require the applicant to provide a six-month status report to the common council and to coordinate drug-disposal processes with the police department. The council indicated staff and commission recommendations remain in force alongside the adopted amendments.
Next steps: the applicant must meet the conditions in the permit and report back to the council in approximately six months; city staff may bring the item back sooner if concerns arise.
