Rice calls opposition to homeless plan "spiritual depravity"

The Cape Girardeau community response to plans for a homeless shelter at the Broadway federal building shows "a spiritual depravity that has grieved me as a minister," Rev. Larry Rice said during a luncheon with the NAACP today.

Rice made the statement while speaking to about three dozen people gathered at the Joyful Praise Ministries church at 1507 S. Sprigg St. As he spoke about his proposal -- and plans to file suit over a decision denying him the building -- Rice said the debate over his proposal has only made him more determined. He was especially critical of statements made on the Southeast Missourian website in response to news stories about his plan.

"My spirit was grieved by the hostility," he said.

Rice is fighting a decision by the Department of Health and Human Services against his plan to convert the federal building into a homeless shelter. He wants to create a transitional housing shelter for families and veterans, emergency shelter for overnight needs and a free store to serve the poor and homeless.

Part of the rejection was based on whether the homeless problem is big enough to use a 47,000 square foot building as a shelter. The department said it is not, a stance that mirrors that of local opponents who say that the city's homelessness issues are and will be addressed by a smaller effort.

There are homeless in Cape Girardeau, Rice said. He said he intends to demonstrate that by setting up a homeless camp over the July 4 weekend. "I am getting sick and tired of hearing that there are no homeless in Cape Girardeau."

Rice said he intends to file a lawsuit within a few days seeking to block and sale or negotiations for sale of the federal building.

For updates, check back at semissourian.com or read Friday's Southeast Missourian.