Fort Wayne council places $2.75 million Anchor Resource Center funding on hold after heated public hearing

Council President Marty Bender presided over a June 9 finance committee session in which a public hearing and lengthy presentations centered on a proposed $2,750,000 appropriation to buy and renovate a downtown building for an Anchor Resource Center, a low-barrier homeless services facility. Council members heard roughly 80 public comments before the committee voted to hold the funding ordinances until Sept. 1.

The public hearing drew speakers both for and against the appropriation. Opponents, including John Thompson (46804), told the committee the center would be “too close to a church” and argued that “low barrier shelters will not do background checks to require sobriety” and could bring safety risks for children and nearby businesses. Several business and downtown property representatives urged a pause for a deeper economic impact review and to evaluate alternative sites.

Supporters made cost and humanitarian arguments. John Fritz (46814) said funding the center is an “investment in stability, safety and public health,” and others cited research and local pilot results showing shelters and coordinated services can lower emergency-response costs. Patty Hayes, representing philanthropic partners, told the council philanthropic commitments have been made to cover operating costs for three years.

Amanda Fall, the city’s homeless services manager, presented an update on systemwide efforts. Fall said her office ran an expanded temporary shelter this winter, increased coordination among providers, and has aligned CDBG and ESG funds to prioritize homelessness. She told council members the Anchor Resource Center is intended as a front door to services — “bathrooms, showers, laundry, coordinated entry assessments” — and estimated the facility could handle roughly 150 to 200 visits per day in its initial phase. Fall also said people may arrive under the influence and be connected to services, but that drugs, alcohol and weapons would be prohibited on the property and the center would enforce a code of conduct.

Mayor Sharon Tucker reinforced the administration’s rationale, describing a three-part approach of housing, enforcement and workforce training and saying the proposed location was selected because it is walkable and near existing services. Tucker noted the administration visited other cities, including Lafayette and San Jose, to learn best practices and said the city sought to incorporate lessons from those sites. She said philanthropic funders have committed to cover three years of operating costs.

Council members pressed the administration on operational details, long-term funding risk and neighborhood impacts. Several members asked whether an independent third-party site study or additional public forums should be required before committing funds. Councilman Hartley moved — and the council seconded — a motion to hold the two measures (ordinance A260522 and resolution R260524) until Sept. 1 to allow time for further information and community engagement.

Clerk McGully called the roll on the motion to hold; the result was 5 in favor and 3 opposed. The hold means the administration may return with additional operational material, security and good-neighbor plans, and other clarifications before the council votes again. The committee continued with additional committee business and moved to the regular session.

What happens next: The ordinances are formally on hold until the Sept. 1 finance committee meeting. The administration and nonprofit partners said they will continue community engagement and refine operational and security plans while philanthropic commitments remain in place for an initial operating runway.