The DeKalb City Council will hear a consideration by the DeKalb County Housing Authority on Monday for assistance in the development of a housing project for the city’s homeless population.

One possible location the housing authority would like the city to examine further is a vacant lot adjacent to DeKalb Fire Station No. 3 and the DeKalb County Nursing Home and Health Department, located on West Dresser Road.

The vacant lot is owned by the city of DeKalb, and already has a service entry in place leading from Dresser to the health department building.

Following a backlash of opposition to a previous proposal in which the former Delta Upsilon house on Blackhawk Drive was to be converted into a boarding house for the homeless, the housing authority and Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmore Drive, began looking for alternate locations for the facility.

City Manager Jim Connors said the DeKalb Community Development Department often waives permit and inspection costs for governmental agencies seeking to build new facilities, as long as there are no fees that would require an outside contractor.

Lesly Wicks, Hope Haven executive director, said the housing authority already has allocated funding for the construction but still is in need of an acceptable location.

If the council approves the consideration, city staff likely will be instructed to draft a proposal in conjunction with the DeKalb County Housing Authority and Hope Haven to turn property ownership over to the housing authority. In most cases, the land is not sold by the city, but rather is donated to the government agency.

Connors added that the council may instruct city staff to conduct further research on the feasibility of the location prior to making any decisions.

Connors characterized the location as a “compromise situation” and said the site appears to be suitable to the needs of the community.

The housing authority owns all properties associated with Hope Haven, though day-to-day operations are left up to Hope Haven management.

Hope Haven intends to construct a building that would house 26 single men and women in a semi-permanent environment, in addition to the organization’s current facilities, where residents are allowed a maximum of two years of occupancy.