Residents press council to fund Stride shelter and address safety at Oakwood Trace

Several residents and service providers urged the Champaign City Council to support a referendum and local funding for the Stride shelter and described an increase in homelessness and housing instability in the city during the public participation portion of the meeting.

Martin Miller, who said he conducts street outreach countywide, told the council he has seen growing homelessness and urged support for the township tax levy that would fund shelter services. "The strides closed, they average about 75 people have beds tonight, and people will be turned away," he said, adding that hotels have been used temporarily to house people and that families are at risk of ending up on the street. Miller criticized current local tax allocations and said he had distributed material about tax levies for shelter funding.

Shayla Kenyon Bass Bridal, deputy supervisor of Cunningham Township, told the council the township provides street outreach countywide and that staff have identified at least 32 residents living at Champaign Park Apartments who rely on outreach services. She said the township has one street outreach worker currently and is hiring additional staff; she also said winter expansion shelters will close at the end of the month and that the regional Continuum of Care cannot absorb a large influx of people from the city.

Resident Karen Medina and others urged support for a citywide referendum, saying the Stride shelter provides beds, laundry and casework and that federal COVID-era funding has expired even though need remains. Several speakers asked the council to use its platform to educate voters about the referendum.

Council member Beck expressed personal support for the referendum and described weighing moral and fiscal considerations. Beck said a homeowner with a $100,000 house would pay about $77 more annually under the proposed levy, and said investing in shelter services would expand case management and street outreach capacity.

Champaign Police Chief Tyler also addressed public safety concerns at Oakwood Trace Townhomes following a recent homicide, saying officers were on scene within minutes, an offender was taken into custody and department personnel continue to engage with residents. Chief Tyler and other council members said the forthcoming housing study should inform longer-term responses at Oakwood Trace and similar properties.

Why it matters

Speakers said Stride shelter currently provides roughly 75 beds and that winter expansion and other temporary shelter capacity is ending soon; supporters urged the council to help secure stable funding through a township tax levy and regional partnerships. Council members and staff noted the city is collaborating with Cunningham Township and other partners but emphasized funding and service capacity limits.

What’s next

Speakers said outreach and shelter partners will continue canvassing affected properties and collaborating with city staff. Council members expressed support for public education about the referendum and for seeking partner contributions from neighboring jurisdictions and county government.

Quotes

"The strides closed, they average about 75 people have beds tonight, and people will be turned away," — Martin Miller, street outreach worker (public comment).

"We have only one street outreach worker and I'm currently hiring," — Shayla Kenyon Bass Bridal, deputy supervisor, Cunningham Township.

"A home of about a hundred thousand dollars, you'll pay about $77.77 dollars more on your tax bill annually," — Council member Beck (on the proposed referendum).