Scattered along some busy streets of downtown Birmingham, as well as around highway underpasses, are tents, chairs and tattered blankets that provide just enough warmth to survive frigid nights on the street. Those items point to the people in Birmingham experiencing homelessness – a group city leaders have vowed to help.
One part of that effort is Home For All, an initiative launched in 2023 that will soon open new shelters. The pilot program will span 12 months and involves building small pallet homes to house those who would otherwise be living on the streets. It includes wraparound services such as access to social workers and warm meals.
Backed by $2.4 million in funds from the city of Birmingham, the first 14 microshelters have been under construction in recent months behind Faith Chapel Care Center, a ministry that performs outreach to unhoused people, just west of downtown Birmingham. The organization’s executive director Debra Blaylock has been working on the program since 2023 and helped develop the plan ultimately presented to city leaders…