By Molly Ashline, Staff Writer

Published print Apr. 1, 2015

On Feb. 19, a proposal endorsed by Provost Dana Dunn to open a Center for Housing and Community Studies was presented to UNC-Greensboro’s Board of Trustees.

This center proposal comes on the heels of the UNC Board of Governors’ decision to close three other centers in North Carolina.

While these two events closely coincide, Dunn is sure that the new center will not be affected by the impending closures.

“We have a very rigorous review process for planning for and proposing centers. Once centers go through the review process and are approved by our board of trustees then they can be instituted. The board of governors does not require that centers go through them to be established,” said Dunn.

Dunn went on to emphasize that the recent Board of Governors decision was based on a review process rather than an establishment process.

The purpose of the new Center for Housing and Community Studies is to bring together community and educational resources to research homelessness in the Greensboro and outlying areas.  The proposal indicates that funding for the center would be at least partially covered by local government, federal grants and local housing coalitions.

One of the important facets of the center would be its emphasis on interdisciplinary cooperation and community groups.

Terri Shelton of the Office of Research and Economic Development and Steven Sills of the sociology department are both key players from UNCG involved in the project.

While no specifics on the involved community groups have been released, Partners Ending Homelessness, the Interactive Resource Center and the Greensboro Urban Ministry are all local groups who currently support homeless individuals in and around Greensboro. These groups have also been vocal about homelessness in Greensboro in the past.

With numerous factions in the Triad forging the battle against destitution, one may wonder if another voice in the debate would be helpful.

Dunn believes that the center will be beneficial to the community.

“It will add to the voices in a way that is informed by data, and that information makes a very compelling case, not just for what the needs are, but how the needs should be addressed…and increase the likelihood that funding support can be made available to address housing issues in the way that will be most effective,” said Dunn.

The center proposal’s main focus for future operation, of course, is providing housing to those without homes or those in inadequate home situations. It emphasized that housing is the cornerstone to many other aspects of personal and community life.

Dunn echoed this point in her interview with the Carolinian.

“Housing is so central to quality of life and a range of community outcomes that addressing housing challenges in the community can have a broad impact on everything from school commitments to crime rates in the community, so I think the potential is significant for this center to have a very positive impact on the Greensboro commitment,” Dunn concluded.