City of Birmingham Changes Plan to Open Daytime Homeless Shelter Downtown

The City of Birmingham said it will not move forward with plans to open a daytime “Urban Oasis” for people experiencing homelessness at 1312 First Ave. N.

Earlier this week, the Birmingham City Council approved the $168,000 purchase of the lot for the proposed project, which was expected to include restrooms, lockers and a dog park.

On Friday, a city spokesperson sent a statement to CBS 42 that reads:

“After further discussions with the property owner and business owners in the Switch District, we have decided to pursue a different location for the proposed Urban Oasis.

Our priority is to create a safe, service-connected daytime space that gives our unhoused neighbors access to restrooms, secure storage, shade, and direct connections to housing support, mental health care, and addiction treatment.

We also have a responsibility to listen, collaborate, and make sure we are choosing the right site to meet the need while being a good neighbor.

We are actively working to identify an alternative property and will share an update as soon as a new location is selected.

We remain committed to bringing this project to fruition and to continuing the broader work already underway to expand affordable housing, strengthen outreach and service coordination, and support residents through crises with real, lasting solutions.”