Local activist demands emergency shelter solutions for Bay City’s homeless youth

A powerful plea for urgent action on homelessness echoed through the Bay City Council meeting as residents voiced their frustrations over inadequate shelter resources during extreme winter conditions. One speaker, visibly distressed, highlighted the dire situation of individuals, including minors, forced to sleep outside in freezing temperatures. "You have literal people that are dying and getting pneumonia because they don’t have anywhere to sleep," they stated, urging the council to allocate more resources to emergency shelters.

The speaker recounted their personal struggles with the local shelter system, detailing repeated removals from the waiting list and a lack of transparency regarding their status. They emphasized the need for immediate solutions, suggesting that abandoned buildings in the city could be repurposed into warming centers to provide safe refuge for those in need. "People should not have to worry about getting arrested because they need a warm spot to sleep," they implored.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing issues surrounding bridge tolls, with residents expressing concern over the economic impact of potential toll increases. One resident criticized the lack of transparency in negotiations with the United Bridge Partners (UBP), arguing that the city should not allow private interests to dictate terms that adversely affect local families and businesses. "We need to know what is proposed, what was rejected, and why at each step of the process," they insisted.

As the meeting progressed, advocates for the homeless continued to stress the urgency of the situation, referencing recent tragedies in other cities as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. "We are next on the list to lose somebody if we don’t start taking action now," one advocate warned, calling for a collaborative effort to address the systemic failures in providing adequate shelter and support.

The discussions underscored a growing demand for accountability and action from city officials, with residents urging the council to prioritize the welfare of the community's most vulnerable members. The meeting concluded with a clear message: immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that all residents have access to safe and warm shelter during the harsh winter months.