Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle
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Tammy Kohr, one of three plaintiffs in the lawsuit being filed by the ACLU of Texas, asking a federal judge to halt the city's new ordinances limiting panhandling and camping in public, sits in her encampment near Wheeler and Caroline on May 15. less
Tammy Kohr, one of three plaintiffs in the lawsuit being filed by the ACLU of Texas, asking a federal judge to halt the city's new ordinances limiting panhandling and camping in public, sits in her encampment ... more
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle
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City contractors power-wash the pillars under Interstate 69, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road on Nov. 15.
City contractors power-wash the pillars under Interstate 69, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road on Nov. 15.
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez
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A man stands in front of his tent before having to move his belongings so that City officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
A man stands in front of his tent before having to move his belongings so that City officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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Nicholas Hudson, 31, left, helps a man move a sofa bed frame before city officials conducted a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under Interstate 69, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road on Nov. 15. less
Nicholas Hudson, 31, left, helps a man move a sofa bed frame before city officials conducted a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under Interstate 69, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road on ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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Tents dot a homeless encampment near downtown Houston. (Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )
Tents dot a homeless encampment near downtown Houston. (Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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People moved their belongings to an empty lot as city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. less
People moved their belongings to an empty lot as city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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Tents dot a homeless encampment near downtown Houston (Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )
Tents dot a homeless encampment near downtown Houston (Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City contractors power-wash the pillars under U.S. 59 Highway, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
City contractors power-wash the pillars under U.S. 59 Highway, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez
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A man stands in front of his tent before having to move his belongings so that City officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
A man stands in front of his tent before having to move his belongings so that City officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City officials evacuated a homeless encampment due to serious health hazards under the Highway 59 overpass, between Caroline and La Branch streets Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Houston. People will be able to return once the city is done with cleanup of the area. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
City officials evacuated a homeless encampment due to serious health hazards under the Highway 59 overpass, between Caroline and La Branch streets Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Houston. People will be able to ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Homeless
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City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City contractors power-wash the pillars under Interstate 69 bridge, where a homeless encampment is located near downtown Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle)
City contractors power-wash the pillars under Interstate 69 bridge, where a homeless encampment is located near downtown Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle)
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez
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People moved their belongings to an empty lot as city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
People moved their belongings to an empty lot as city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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Two men move their belongings before city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
Two men move their belongings before city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City contractors power-wash the pillars under U.S. 59 Highway, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
City contractors power-wash the pillars under U.S. 59 Highway, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez
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City contractors power-wash the pillars under U.S. 59 Highway, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
City contractors power-wash the pillars under U.S. 59 Highway, where a homeless encampment is located between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez
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People living at the homeless encampment, located under the U.S. 59 Highway between Caroline Street and Almeda Road, were given plastic bags so that they can move their belongings before city officials cleaned up the area Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
People living at the homeless encampment, located under the U.S. 59 Highway between Caroline Street and Almeda Road, were given plastic bags so that they can move their belongings before city officials cleaned ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle ) less
City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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People living at the homeless encampment, located under the U.S. 59 Highway between Caroline Street and Almeda Road, were given plastic bags so that they can move their belongings before city officials cleaned up the area Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. less
People living at the homeless encampment, located under the U.S. 59 Highway between Caroline Street and Almeda Road, were given plastic bags so that they can move their belongings before city officials cleaned ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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Two men move their belongings before city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. less
Two men move their belongings before city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston.
City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston.
City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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A man stands in front of his tent before having to move his belongings so that City officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. less
A man stands in front of his tent before having to move his belongings so that City officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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People living at the homeless encampment, located under the U.S. 59 Highway between Caroline Street and Almeda Road, were given plastic bags so that they can move their belongings before city officials cleaned up the area Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. less
People living at the homeless encampment, located under the U.S. 59 Highway between Caroline Street and Almeda Road, were given plastic bags so that they can move their belongings before city officials cleaned ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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Two men move their belongings before city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston. less
Two men move their belongings before city officials conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in ... more
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle
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City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston.
City employees conduct a cleanup of the homeless encampment that is located under the U.S. 59 Highway, between Caroline Street and Almeda Road Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle

Houston transit officials moved forward Thursday with a proposal to use a slice of a downtown bus depot for a homeless shelter, leaving much of the contentious debate for city council members.

Residents and business owners close to the proposed site along McKee and Buffalo Bayou vehemently opposed the plan in comments to the Metropolitan Transit Authority board. Many said they learned about it in the past few days and cited crime and property value concerns, along with the sense that Metro was rushing the project through.

Board chairwoman Carrin Patman, who pushed for the approval Thursday citing the need to move forward in “deference to the city,” said transit officials have the same safety questions, and feel they are addressed.

SHELTER SPACE: Houston proposes Metro site for 'low-barrier' homeless shelter

“If we had a concern that it wasn’t going to be safe for our staffers to be in proximity to this location, we would not move forward,” she said.

Citing the opposition of the local residents, Metro board member Jim Robinson opposed the plan. Patman and board members Lisa Castaneda, Lex Frieden, Sanjay Ramabhadran and Christof Spieler approved the proposal.

The proposed low-barrier shelter, which will require City Council approval, would use 5,000 square feet of the bus depot, beneath one of eight covered areas, to house people. The city’s general plan, although they have not announced specific details, would cordon off the encampment, provide 24-hour security and act as a gathering spot for social services to transition those homeless interested in permanent housing toward opportunities.

Metro would spend $100,000 to fence the area and make other changes so it could continue to use the rest of the site to store buses.

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Officials noted Metro’s role was merely as a landholder, stressing the city would operate and maintain the space. City elected officials, ultimately, would finalize the plans.

Board members danced around debating the merits of the project, versus leaving a lot of decision-making to others.

“Fundamentally it feels to me this board is not the appropriate solution for homeless challenges,” board member Christof Spieler said. “I think it is important for these concerns to be heard and the appropriate venue is city council.”

Spieler stressed he was agreeable to using the spot as a temporary shelter, but opposed to handing over the space permanently because of Metro’s own needs and his skepticism the location is a valid long-term shelter site.

Metro’s approval stipulates the agreement is for a six-month pilot program.

“Simply passing this today gets the process moving,” Patman said.