When Tracy McAnelly s mother died, he thought he had nowhere to go but the streets.
That was until August 2018, when he joined the Buddy Smith Home, 500 North Ninth St., through Next Step Homeless Services. The facility houses up to 15 veterans at a time who are transitioning out of homelessness about one-fourth of the total number of people serviced through the transitional housing program.
Through Buddy Smith Home, McAnelly stayed away from drugs, built up savings and got a job running security at Hope Campus. It was supposed to be a six-month deal, but because I was doing everything I was supposed to, they let me stay an extra six months, McAnelly said.
Downtown Fort Smith leaders continue to look for ways to address vagrancy. And by extension, panhandling.
The issue of vagrancy has been brought up consistently at the monthly Central Business Improvement District meetings throughout the fall, with leaders stating these issues impact the safety and attractiveness of downtown Fort Smith for patrons and tenants. While measures such as signage and a heightened police presence have been taken to discourage vagrancy on private property, CBID commissioners, downtown property owners and Police Chief Danny Baker are looking at other ways to address the issue while maintaining the difference between vagrants and the homeless in the area.