A ministry that ran a day shelter for the homeless has announced it has agreed to move out of a residential area.

   That clears a major roadblock for Broward County, since the city mandated St. Laurence Chapel had to move in order for the new homeless center to be built.

The independent, nonprofit ministry founded by the Episcopal Church serves as many as 170 homeless men and women each day. It provides them with a variety of services -- food, showers, clothing, medical help, educational opportunities, mail and telephone service and social workers -- but not a place to sleep. The chapel operates at Northeast First Street, and leaders had resisted the idea of moving next door to the site of the new county shelter.

"It was time we decided," said Pat Wald, president of the church's board of directors. She said the fact that the City Commission recently denied the church a $25,000 grant to fund a nurse's salary "may have had some impact, but the highest impact was the reaction of the neighbors. They were very angry. We didn't realize the extent of the frustration."

Homeowners and area business owners have long complained vagrants sleep in their yards, doorways and trash bins and urinate on their lawns. Residents also complain that homeless people often toss empty beer, wine and liquor bottles in the neighborhood. They came to City Hall earlier this month demanding the city not give the church any money because they shouldn't be in a residential neighborhood.

Sticking points that St. Laurence officials agreed to give in on include having only a five-year lease, and other county regulations such as having a metal detector. The county promised them free rent and access to services they don't already have, such as beds for their clients.

   The county's third center, which will be a 200-bed, $4 million project on Blount Road, won't be open until July 2001. The other county shelters are in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale.

Until then, St. Laurence officials said they'll be vigilant in keeping the neighbors happy. They said starting Thursday they instituted tougher penalties for breaking rules. For example, bringing beer into the area before resulted in a one-week suspension from the program. Now the homeless will have to stay away for one month.

"We have two more years to live side by side," said Dianne Bates, executive director for St. Laurence Chapel.

"I'm very pleased they decided to do that," said Mayor E. Pat Larkins. "That community felt it (the St. Laurence day shelter) was having an adverse effect. I always thought the St. Laurence people had very good intentions so I'm not surprised."

County officials rejoiced at the decision.

"Certainly this puts things back on track and begins to remove any doubt or questions about the north area Homeless Assistance Center," said Steve Werthman, coordinator of the county's homeless programs.

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