Nashua’s homeless population is growing at such a rate that more accommodations are needed. In response, officials with the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter hope to raise $3 million to transform the former Sacred Heart School at 35 Spring St. into a new homeless facility by 2021.

However, an unfortunate a byproduct of this action is that Gate City Bike Co-op will be forced to relocate. Founder John Burkitt and those who volunteer with his organization have been distributing and repairing bicycles for the less fortunate from the building for the last two years.

“I’m hoping we can find an angel or a hero that says, ‘Hey I got a space, and I’m having a hard time leasing it out. I can at least take the tax break,’ ” Burkitt told our reporter of his predicament. “We can work with them as far as improving the property. We can put in sweat equity. We just don’t have a lot of funds.”

Burkitt said several of the 800 bikes his organization has distributed during the last two years have gone to homeless residents. Therefore, there would be a considerable level of irony if his group would have to stop operating because their space is taken by a new homeless shelter.

“You can imagine if you’re living in downtown Nashua and your only means of transportation is riding the bus or walking,” Burkitt said. “If I can provide a bike to people, they can expand their area and look for a job.”

“One of our hopes is people will get a bike, and it will help them move into better things,” he added.

We wish Burkitt and Gate City Bike Co-op the best in their efforts to find a new space in Nashua. It may be challenging, however, as rental space throughout the city continues to increase in cost.

Still, someone out there should have some space available to donate to a worthy cause. If the homeless and/or poor in Nashua have no means of transportation, they also have almost no hope of ever improving their situations, so we hope Burkitt and his volunteers can continue their work.