Commission discusses researching a —bill of rights' for people experiencing homelessness

Commissioners discussed a public comment made during a previously unquorate meeting and a proposal for the commission to research a "bill of rights" for people experiencing homelessness in Lawrence. The idea originated from a speaker who works with unhoused residents and was raised by Commissioner Kevin at the Aug. 18 meeting. Howard Callahan, identified at the meeting as the coordinator of homeless outreach for Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, was cited as the commenter who described barriers that Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and other communities face when accessing services.

Commissioners said the comment had been recorded but not included in the official meeting video because the June meeting lacked a quorum. Staff advised that the commission may still discuss issues raised by a community member at an informal meeting and could place the topic on a subsequent, properly noticed agenda. Commissioners discussed options ranging from an education-focused approach to a formal recommendation or legislative proposal, and they noted any formal legislative step would likely require coordination with the City Commission and community service providers.

Commissioner Kevin offered to compile examples of homeless- or housing-related "bills of rights" from other places and to provide several different models for the commission to review. "I can get that together in the next couple weeks and get that back to you to distribute to the commission," Kevin said. Staff recommended an initial research step to map existing services, identify gaps, and then consult stakeholders to determine whether a formal bill of rights, an education campaign, or other remedies would be appropriate.

Discussion only: commissioners did not form a formal subcommittee or vote to adopt a position at the Aug. 18 meeting. Direction: commissioners asked Kevin to gather sample documents and asked staff to place the item on the next meeting agenda for further discussion. Staff noted that any formal subcommittee or legislative recommendation would require additional procedural steps and likely involve yearlong outreach and review.

Less-critical details: commissioners discussed coordinating with the housing board and local nonprofits such as the Lawrence Community Shelter and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and noted that other jurisdictions (Portland, Austin, states including Rhode Island and Illinois) have similar documents or laws, but content and scope vary widely.