Mandan Park Neighborhood Association - Sheltering Hope, Building Community

What are the costs

Large Tent Site Proposal

Military Assistance

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Stephen Bolgar from the Mandan Park Neighborhood Association is proposing transforming vacant properties into safe, humane shelters for the homeless. Together, we leverage community strength and military expertise to create lasting solutions. Be part of this vital change.

Sheltering Hope, Building Community

Implementing eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices in our shelter construction to minimize environmental impact.

Sustainable Shelter Solutions

Offering workshops that apply military knowledge for effective crisis management and shelter safety protocols.

Emergency Preparedness Training

Engaging with the homeless to provide resources, support, and foster community connections in a safe environment.

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Community Outreach & Support

Transforming vacant properties into safe, comfortable shelters using innovative tent structures and efficient design inspired by military logistics.

Humane Shelter Development

Organizing community leaders and service providers to assist in shelter setup, maintenance, and resident support activities.

Minimum Services Coordination

Advising property owners on how to safely and effectively convert vacant spaces into temporary housing solutions.

Property Utilization Consulting

Community Services

I met Michael in a Boston subway station. I told him I liked his sign. “What matters is what it means to you,” he told me. I asked what it meant to him. “Doing a deed or expressing kindness to another person without expecting anything in return,” Michael said. I love approaching strangers wherever I go. Listening and talking to them teaches you about people and how similar we all are to one another. Just like Michael, we’re all seeking human kindness.

We Can Do Better

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Homeless person's belongings in grocery cart

2017 (antes que el gallo cante tres veces)
El inicio de esta serie

The problem of homelessness is something almost every city and town has to handle and attempt to come up with solutions. 

Building hope, one large shelter at a time in Omaha.

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Humane Shelters Project

Discover how transforming vacant properties into safe, humane shelters for the homeless. Learn about our innovative use of large tents and military expertise to create supportive living spaces. Join us in making a difference in Omaha's community.

Frequently Asked Questions

<h3>What are the real costs</h3> Here is some information we found online about spending costs in regards to the homeless in our community. Please help us with fact checking.The annual spending by the city of Omaha and Douglas County on homelessness is complex because funding comes from a mix of sources, including local budgets, federal grants, and nonprofit organizations. However, specific figures reveal significant costs across various services.&nbsp;Douglas CountyIn May 2024, reporting on a Douglas County Sheriff's Office budget presentation revealed the substantial cost to the county's justice system.&nbsp;<ul><li>Jail costs: Douglas County spends approximately $1.2 million per month, or $14.4 million annually, to treat and house homeless or housing-insecure individuals in its jail.&nbsp;</li></ul>City of OmahaThe city of Omaha receives and distributes federal and philanthropic funds to local organizations.&nbsp;<ul><li>Federal funds: As of early 2025, Omaha had received about $7 million in federal funds for homeless services.</li><li>Homeless Services Coordinator: In 2022, the city used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to create a Homeless Services Coordinator position, spending $200,000 over two years. The position is intended to be moved to the city's general fund budget afterward.</li><li>Emergency Solutions Grant: Past COVID-19 relief efforts saw the city allocate Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) funds to various non-profit groups, such as Siena Francis House, Together, and Heartland Family Service.</li><li>Encampment cleanup: Cleaning up homeless encampments costs the city about $1,900 per site.&nbsp;</li></ul>Partner organizationsNonprofit organizations that receive public funding play a significant role.<ul><li>Open Door Mission: Reported total expenses of over $27.8 million in fiscal 2023, with 85.4% going to food, shelter, and programs for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.</li><li>Threshold (formerly MACCH): This regional coalition received an $8.5 million federal grant in late 2024, dispersed over three years, to fund programs for homeless youths aged 16–24 in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties. This breaks down to about $2.85 million per year.</li><li>HEAL: This Omaha street medic group had a budget of $25,000 in 2024.</li><li>United Way of the Midlands: Awarded more than $2 million to 36 agencies to address housing needs for the 2022–2024 grant cycle.&nbsp;</li></ul>Broader costsThe financial burden extends beyond budgeted services and affects the entire community.<ul><li>Healthcare providers, such as Nebraska Medicine, spend significant amounts of money when unhoused people use emergency rooms for medical issues.</li><li>The affordable housing crisis in Omaha and Douglas County is also a major factor, with only 35 affordable rental units available for every 100 low-income households.&nbsp;</li></ul>We need a more humane and cost-effective solutionCommunity-Centered Shelter SolutionsThe Mandan Park Neighborhood Association in Omaha is dedicated to addressing issues in Omaha like homelessness, with compassion and innovation. Leveraging extensive community knowledge and military solutions, we propose creating humane shelters that provide safety and dignity for the homeless. Our approach combines the strategic use of vacant properties with the deployment of large, durable tents designed to withstand varying weather conditions, ensuring comfort and security for those in need.<h3>Comprehensive Services That Make a Difference</h3>Our project proposal encompasses site selection, shelter installation, and ongoing support services tailored to the unique needs of the homeless population. By utilizing vacant properties, we would maximize the use of underutilized urban spaces, transforming them into welcoming environments. Our team proposal is inspired by the efficiency and practicality of military preparations, which would allow efficient, safe and hygienic services.&nbsp; &nbsp; <h3>Unique Approach and Commitment to Sustainability</h3>What sets our proposal apart is our innovative fusion of military precision with community-centered care. Our shelters are not just temporary solutions but stepping stones towards stability, providing a foundation where individuals can regain independence. We prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and promoting community engagement, ensuring shelters are both humane and environmentally responsible.

Innovative Shelter Solutions for the Homeless

<h3>Large Tent Site Proposal&nbsp;</h3> Setting up temporary homeless shelters with inflatable or tent structures involves legal and logistical hurdles, and significant costs beyond the purchase of the structures themselves. The total expense depends on the size and services offered, but can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, factoring in land access, permits, and essential services.&nbsp;Steps and requirements1. Secure land and permitsUsing "abandoned public property" is not straightforward and requires formal approval.Approval: You must get permission from the relevant city, county, or state government agency that controls the land. Some municipalities have specific, complex zoning regulations for emergency shelters.Zoning: Temporary shelters often require a special-use or administrative permit to operate legally. The location may need to be a certain distance from residential zones, parks, or schools.Site plans: An application will likely require a site plan detailing the layout of the facility, including the location of all structures, parking, and utilities.&nbsp;2. Acquire shelter structuresCosts vary widely depending on the size, materials, and features of the tents or inflatables.Inflatable structures: For a 1,000 to 5,000 square-foot structure, expect prices from $10,000 to $50,000. Larger or custom designs can cost over $200,000. They offer rapid setup and excellent weather resistance but have a higher upfront cost than basic canvas tents.Large tent canopies: Heavy-duty, commercial-grade tents are more durable than standard consumer canopies. A 20x10-foot emergency canopy tent can cost around $1,400. Larger, customizable frame-supported fabric buildings offer better long-term durability and span but are significantly more expensive.&nbsp;3. Establish essential servicesBeyond the shelter structures, people require access to sanitation, safety, and power.Sanitation: You will need to rent portable toilets, hand-washing stations, and showers. Guidelines recommend protocols for handling soiled laundry and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.Safety and security: Plans for safety and security, including lighting and on-site staff, must be developed to protect residents and maintain order. Security services may need to be hired.Power and lighting: An on-site power source is required for heating, cooling, and lighting. This can involve renting generators or installing a power distribution system with LED lights, especially in temporary shelters.Waste management: Regular trash and biohazard waste collection will be necessary and is an ongoing operational cost.&nbsp;4. Address operational costsOngoing costs are substantial and include more than just the initial setup.&nbsp;Staff and volunteers: A coordinated staff and volunteer system is essential for managing daily operations. This can include paid employees for supervision and security, and volunteers for support services.Wrap-around services: To be effective, shelters must provide more than just a bed. Supportive services like case management, health screenings, food, and connections to permanent housing are crucial.Insurance: Liability insurance is required to cover potential accidents or incidents on the property.&nbsp; Cost breakdown summaryCategory&nbsp;Estimated CostNotesShelter Structures$10,000–$200,000+Depends on size, material, and type (inflatable vs. frame tent).Site PreparationVaries widelyMay include ground leveling, permits, and connecting utilities.Sanitation$500–$5,000+/monthPortable toilets, hand-washing, and shower rentals.Security$100–$300+/dayCost for hired security personnel or services.Power$500–$2,000+/monthGenerator rental, fuel, and electrical distribution.OperationsVaries widelyFood, supplies, laundry services, and case management.Personnel$3,000–$10,000+/monthStaff salaries for management, security, and case workers.Insurance$1,000+/yearLiability coverage for temporary shelters.Total setup and initial operating cost could easily reach tens of thousands of dollars, with ongoing monthly costs for essential services and staff. For example, opening a small-scale homeless shelter can require a significant budget for just the initial setup and a few months of operation.&nbsp; Utilizing Vacant Properties for Community BenefitThe Mandan Park Neighborhood Association in Omaha is proposing a compassionate initiative to address homelessness by repurposing vacant properties into humane shelters. Recognizing the untapped potential of these unused spaces, the association proposing transforming them into safe, welcoming environments for those in need. This approach not only provides immediate shelter but also revitalizes neighborhoods by bringing purpose and care to otherwise neglected areas.<h3>Innovative Shelter Design Inspired by Military Expertise</h3>Leveraging military knowledge, the large tent propsal employs large tents and strategic planning to create shelters that are both durable and comfortable. This expertise ensures that the shelters can withstand various weather conditions while providing a sense of security and dignity to their residents. The military-inspired layout optimizes space efficiently, enabling the association to house more individuals without compromising on privacy and safety.<h3>Commitment to Humane and Sustainable Solutions</h3>Beyond just providing shelter, the association proposes humane treatment and sustainable solutions for homelessness. By integrating community support services and fostering a respectful environment, Mandan Park Neighborhood Association proposes to empower residents towards stability and self-sufficiency. The unique combination of property utilization, innovative shelter design, and compassionate care would set a precedent in addressing homelessness in Omaha.

Twelver or Imamiyyah is the largest branch of Shia Islam. The term Twelver refers to its adherents' belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams, and their belief that the last Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, lives in occultation and will reappear as the promised Mahdi.
The Arba'een Pilgrimage is the world's largest annual public gathering that is held every year in Karbala, Iraq at the end of the 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the religious ritual for the commemoration of martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and the third Shia Imam,Husayn ibn Ali's in 680.

Transforming Vacant Spaces into Safe Havens:MPNA's Proposal for Homeless Shelter

<h3>Military Assistance</h3>The military would be extremely useful in setting up a temporary tent city for the homeless due to its expertise in logistics, construction, and disaster relief. However, logistical challenges, the specific needs of the homeless population, and the ethical implications of using military resources for civilian social issues must also be considered.&nbsp;How the military is equipped to help<ul><li>Rapid deployment and logistical expertise: The military has a robust, well-practiced system for rapidly deploying personnel, equipment, and supplies to set up temporary infrastructure in any environment. These skills are honed for military operations but are directly applicable to building large-scale tent cities.</li><li>Engineering and construction capabilities: Military construction and engineering units, such as the Seabees and Army Corps of Engineers, are trained to quickly erect shelters and establish sanitation, power, and water systems. They have experience managing the entire process, from site preparation to final construction, and can do so efficiently under pressure.</li><li>Field-ready infrastructure: The military is accustomed to operating in temporary, self-contained "tent cities" that provide for the basic needs of a large population. This includes not just tents, but also field kitchens, medical aid stations, and facilities for personal hygiene.</li><li>Scale and speed: When a disaster strikes, such as a hurricane or earthquake, military units are often deployed to provide immediate, large-scale relief. Their ability to manage and sustain large operations means they can establish a temporary tent city for hundreds or thousands of people more quickly than civilian entities.&nbsp;</li></ul>Challenges and considerations<ul><li>Logistical strain: Using military resources for civilian needs can strain budgets, divert assets from other priorities, and stretch personnel.</li><li>Unique needs of the homeless: The homeless population has different needs than soldiers. Many suffer from mental health issues, addiction, or chronic health problems that require specialized, long-term care, not just temporary shelter. A military setup would likely lack the social and therapeutic services critical for addressing the root causes of homelessness.</li><li>Ethical implications: Some critics argue that using the military for social issues normalizes a militaristic approach to what is fundamentally a civilian problem. The use of military-run camps could be viewed as coercive, lacking the voluntary and community-led principles of most social services.</li><li>Short-term vs. long-term solutions: A temporary tent city provides immediate shelter but does not solve the long-term problem of homelessness. While a useful "stopgap" measure, it is not a pathway to permanent housing and can delay progress on creating sustainable solutions.</li><li>Location and integration: Military bases, which might offer a ready-made location, are often isolated and far from cities. This can cut people off from vital support networks and job opportunities. Some homeless individuals also resist entering any form of institutionalized housing, including sanctioned camps.&nbsp;</li></ul>Real-world examples<ul><li>COVID-19 pandemic: During the pandemic, National Guard units in some areas were used to set up temporary housing and medical facilities, showcasing their ability to rapidly establish shelters for vulnerable populations.</li><li>Military base reuse: Programs exist to repurpose surplus military bases for civilian use, including for homeless services. This offers a longer-term strategy that leverages military infrastructure.</li><li>Veterans Affairs (VA) support: The VA operates dedicated programs to combat homelessness among veterans and may use its resources to provide temporary housing. During the pandemic, proposals were made to use VA parking lots for tent cities for homeless veterans.&nbsp;</li></ul>In summary, while the military possesses the technical and logistical capacity to quickly and effectively set up a temporary tent city, such an action would be best seen as a short-term emergency measure rather than a long-term solution. A successful response to homelessness requires sustained social services, healthcare, and a pathway to permanent housing, which are beyond the scope of a military-led operation.&nbsp;Tent city - Wikipedia <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://share.google/blqQISN3L70rwjpeD">https://share.google/blqQISN3L70rwjpeD</a> <h3>Harnessing Innovation for Humane Shelter Solutions</h3>The Mandan Park Neighborhood Association proposes addressing homelessness with compassion and innovation. Our latest proposal utilizes vacant properties in Omaha to create humane shelters that provide safety and dignity to those in need. By integrating large tents designed for comfort and durability with strategic military knowledge in logistics and site management, this would ensure these shelters are both practical and welcoming environments. The proposed approach not only maximizes the use of underutilized spaces but also fosters a community-driven solution to a pressing social issue.<h3>Shelter Design and Community Engagement</h3>Mandan Park Neighborhood Association brings a unique blend of expertise to this project. Our team would like to work closely with local authorities, military advisors, and social service organizations to implement large shelters that are safe, efficient, and respectful of residents' needs. We emphasize community engagement, ensuring that shelters are supported by neighborhood residents and integrated seamlessly into the local fabric. This holistic approach enhances the sustainability and impact of our proposed initiatives.<h3>Unique Selling Points: Practicality, Compassion, and Collaboration</h3>What sets our proposal apart is our commitment to combining practicality with compassion. Our use of military knowledge for logistical excellence, coupled with innovative tent designs and strategic use of vacant land, creates a shelter model that is replicable and scalable. It would not only provide immediate shelter but also lay the groundwork for long-term solutions to homelessness.

Sardashte Camp for Ezidi IDPs in Sinjar (Shingal).

Empowering Communities: Mandan Park Neighborhood Association's Humane Shelter Initiative

Links to local TV news stories and other social media posts

<h4>Omaha Youth Homeless Programs</h4>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here is some information we found online regarding Omaha youth homeless programs. We appreciate any help with fact checking.A $8.5 million federal grant awarded to Threshold CoC, or the Continuum of Care for the Omaha metro area, funds several programs focused on preventing and ending youth homelessness. The funding was received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The grant, which provides roughly $2.85 million annually for three years, supports the following types of programs:&nbsp;Housing solutions<ul><li>Rapid Rehousing: Provides short-term rental assistance and services to help youth move into permanent housing quickly. This program is a crucial part of the effort to make youth homelessness "brief and episodic".</li><li>Permanent Supportive Housing: Provides long-term housing assistance combined with supportive services for youth with a disabling condition.</li><li>Transitional Housing: Offers a structured, safe environment for youth to live in while they work toward finding permanent housing.</li><li>Host Homes: This innovative program places unhoused youth with trained volunteer host families, which offers a safe place to stay while the youth receive assistance and work toward independence. This is designed to serve as a less formal alternative to traditional shelters.&nbsp;</li></ul>Supportive services<ul><li>System Navigation: Offers guidance and resources to help young people navigate the often-complex network of services and aid available to them.</li><li>Services for "couch-surfing" youth: The grant specifically addresses the needs of "couch-surfing" youth, or those who are in unstable shared living situations but not on the street. Threshold recognizes that this group is also highly vulnerable to homelessness.&nbsp;</li></ul>System-level programs<ul><li>Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): This grant supports the database used to collect client-level data on the services provided to people experiencing homelessness. This data is essential for understanding the scope of the problem and evaluating the effectiveness of the programs.</li><li>Coordinated Community Plan (CCP): Threshold, in collaboration with local partners and youth with lived experience, developed a CCP to guide the implementation of these new programs. The grant funding is used to put this plan into action.</li><li>Equitable Strategies: The funding is intended to create new strategies that are equitable and specifically assist vulnerable young people, including those who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), LGBTQIA+, and differently abled.&nbsp;</li></ul>Collaborative effortsThe grant recipients and partners for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program include a coalition of regional organizations, such as Youth Emergency Services (YES), who work directly with unhoused youth in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties.&nbsp; <h3>Integrating Military Expertise for Effective Shelter Solutions</h3>The Mandan Park Neighborhood Association is proposing a unique approach to addressing homelessness by combining military knowledge with community-driven initiatives. Utilizing vacant properties, the association proposes large, durable tents designed with military-grade materials, ensuring safety and longevity. This strategic integration of military precision streamlines the setup and maintenance processes, providing efficient and humane shelter options for those in need.<h3>Transforming Vacant Properties into Vibrant Community Shelters</h3>Our proposal focuses on revitalizing unused spaces within Omaha to create welcoming environments for the homeless population. By repurposing vacant lots and buildings, the proposal not only offers immediate shelter but also fosters a sense of community and security. This approach maximizes existing resources and minimizes environmental impact, showcasing a commitment to sustainable and compassionate urban development.<h3>Empowering Through Compassion and Expertise</h3>Beyond providing shelter, the Mandan Park Neighborhood Association proposal emphasizes empowerment and dignity for individuals experiencing homelessness. Our team’s emphasis on military logistics ensures organized and efficient shelter management, while community engagement efforts promote social integration and support services. This holistic model sets us apart, demonstrating our dedication to creating humane, effective, and lasting solutions to homelessness in Omaha.

Links to local TV news stories and other social media posts

Omaha Local TV News Stories

Citizen patrol for vulnerable homeless

Homeless Camp Cleanups

Video of camps

References