DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – A new center in the Pee Dee–aiming to fight homelessness–has one neighborhood asking questions.
The building in downtown Darlington is about to get some new tenants as it becomes what staff calls a transitional housing center for the homeless and disadvantaged in the community.
“With so much going on in the world we have to be careful especially with our children.”
Margaret Dolford said she was surprised–as were most of her neighbors–to find out a building just yards away from her front door would soon house a center people escape poverty and homelessness.
“No one knew about it,” she said.
The project is run by Flowers Ministries, a Charlotte-based group with similar housing facilities in several states and also South Carolina. But Darlington police say the building still needs a lot of work before its ready for anyone to live there.
A staff member inside told News 13 there is still some work needed to meet safety codes so that it can be lived in. Darlington Police Chief Danny Watson confirms he and the fire marshal are following up to make sure everything meets standards.
“We support any effort to help people who maybe can’t get access to the help they need,” Watson said. “We just want to make sure everyone knows what’s going on and feels comfortable.”
Dolford isn’t so sure she likes the idea of so many new people suddenly in her tight-knit community.
“I can understand they want to help the homeless, “But they should also let the neighborhood know who they’re bringing in.”
News 13 reached out to Flowers Ministries for a response to these concerns but did not hear back.