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Unhoused resident urges help; mayor pledges human-services follow-up
Summary
During public comment, Carlonda Felicia Hayes Byrd described four years unhoused and requested assistance obtaining housing and support; Mayor Dana Ralph said the city will connect her with the human-services division.
Carlonda Felicia Hayes Byrd spoke during public comment July 15 about her experience living unhoused and asked the city for help obtaining housing and support services.
Byrd said she has been unhoused for several years, described difficulty fitting into existing program eligibility categories and said she has accumulated paperwork she brought to the meeting documenting her attempts to access assistance. “I need help. And I think I met a lot of you beautiful people and didn't know you guys was on the seat,” Byrd said as she asked the council for assistance getting out of her car and into stable housing.
Mayor Dana Ralph responded during the meeting that city staff would connect Byrd with the human-services division to begin follow-up and an appointment. The mayor did not provide a specific service or program at the meeting, but said staff would work to get Byrd connected to available assistance.
Byrd characterized herself as not struggling with substance use or severe mental-health challenges and said she wants affordable housing and to work, including operating a small food booth. The council did not take formal action that evening beyond offering to connect Byrd to human-services staff for intake and follow-up.
