Here's the latest on Tent City, and a huge hat-tip to Lindsey G for getting it out to us:
There was a “Tent City Stakeholders” meeting Thursday afternoon to address the pending closure of the camp before Friday’s 9am Homelessness Commission meeting.
A representative from the Mayor’s office was present, several commissioners, service providers and advocates.
Erik Cole, Chair of the Homelessness Commission said that closing the camp June 1st would be “problematic” because there is currently no relocation plan for many of the residents.
Local service providers such as Park Center’s Homeless Outreach Program have secured housing (transitional and permanent) for 25+ residents since last fall, but many remain in the camp (and in our city at large, for that matter) without the resources they need.
Erik suggested that they could give the camp 2-3 more months while community stakeholders and city officials come up with a plan/proposal to help the remaining residents. Clifton Harris, Director of the Homelessness Commission, has asked for people, agencies, churches, and others to come to the table to help the people at Tent City “transition” out of the camp.
The Homelessness Commission meets Friday May 29th at 9am at the Randee Rogers Training Center at 1417 Rosa Parks Blvd. Everyone is invited, and there is a public comments section at the end.
