Needed: A Roof Over Their Heads

Tensions between the Rev. Wiley Drake and the city of Buena Park over the minister’s controversial homeless ministry appear to have abated with the construction of a temporary shelter that can house as many as 52 homeless persons each night. The resolution of long-standing differences over the presence of homeless people in the vicinity of Drake’s church suggests that if these obstacles can be surmounted, many things are possible in helping Orange County’s homeless.

The Drake ministry serves those it can, but the larger need for finding shelter, food, counseling and other services in the county remains a challenge. The county’s homeless population is estimated at anywhere from 8,000 to 15,000. Those who have benefited from Drake’s peacemaking with the city are the lucky few; many of the other homeless in the county end up on streets or manage with temporary shelter.

Drake’s saga has gone on for three years. He had charges filed against him for alleged building and health code violations. He was the target of a civil lawsuit to bring his building up to code. Never one to mince words, he filed a countersuit that was later dismissed. For the confrontational minister, the issue always was framed in terms of which law, temporal or spiritual, he considered a higher calling.

It is a tribute to both the city and the minister that each managed to focus on the larger societal need of serving the homeless. Drake eventually met the city’s demands and installed sprinklers and a fire alarm to get his temporary facility up to code. With some other sprucing up, the facility presented a much more appealing front to the surrounding community.

There are other heroes in the story as well. A construction company and others have given landscaping and other services.

This orientation on achieving a common goal should be an inspiration to others who know the daunting task of serving the needs of homeless populations.

In the end, the city and Drake have reached a place where each believes the other side has done its best. Drake made a promise to bring his building up to code. Making good on such pledges can build trust for the long term.

For Orange County, the question of adequate shelter remains. The county on any given night is said to have only one-eighth or one-quarter of the beds it needs. Many in the community have demonstrated that they care, but the challenge persists. The Drake ministry shows how important it is to keep an eye on the larger picture and work through differences that arise over building and zoning issues.