There are health and safety concerns that must be taken into considerations before any sheltering can be considered. Most of the time the vacant buildings require expensive upgrades such as sprinkler system installation, roof replacement, new insulation, mold and mildew removal, and video surveillance installation.
These actions are cost-prohibitive as a strategy to regularly purchase, renovate and staff each location with the current funding structure in place. Vacant lots must be at least 42,000 square feet in size, flat contoured surface, close to utilities (water, electricity, sewer), outside of floodway and 100-year flood plain, not be designated as a wetland, within City limits, and within close proximity (less than half a mile) to public transportation.
All of the above policies and regulations exist to ensure the safety and well-being of the potential residents of our shelters.