COLUMBUS, Ohio — A warming center in the University District that housed dozens of people has shut its doors over safety concerns after two people were stabbed there earlier this month.
The center, located at the Summit United Methodist Church on East 16th Avenue, closed on Monday.
The stabbing incident happened back on Feb. 10. The Columbus Division of Police said 32-year-old Bobby Taylor attacked two people without provocation.
“When those two individuals were stabbed, we had guests that were just pouring out asking what they could do,” Pastor Jim Rose with the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless said.
The victims were taken to the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for treatment. They are expected to recover from their injuries.
Taylor was arrested on Feb. 11 and has been charged with two counts of felonious assault, according to court documents.
Rose said the center had become home to several people who are working to get off the streets.
"Housing becomes an extreme barrier for these individuals to even find a place,” he said.
Rose said they have seen a double digit increase of homeless that are in the area.
“Our shelters are absolutely at capacity, busting at the seams,” he said.
People who live nearby said they have mixed feeling about the center shutting down.
“The location has just been an extra worry, I guess for my friends and I, we're a house full of girls,” Ohio State student Amanda Meehan said.
Another Ohio State student, Ryan Vasilialskas, says the unexpected chaos surrounding the center is not what he signed up for.
"Constant chaos, there's people sitting on our steps over there,” he said. “They just kind of linger, they're loud. The cops are there at least three times a week. I've seen a ton of ambulances.”
Steve Skovensky with the Community Shelter Board says his team will make sure everyone has access to safe shelter who will be told to find somewhere else to stay. Long-term, he says, the board will support any initiatives the city has to provide more affordable housing.
“Internally in our system, our partners are always working to establish relationships with new landlords, and really identify housing options, new landlords to work with us that maybe we haven't worked with before in the community,” said Skovensky.
If you find yourself in need of a shelter, you can contact the Community Shelter Board’s homeless hotline at 614-274-7000.