Residents press council on homeless shelter relocation and budget priorities

Several residents used the public-comment portion of the March 10 Huntington City Council meeting to press for details on a proposed relocation of a low-barrier homeless shelter and to express concern about budget cuts to services that help people experiencing homelessness and substance-use disorders.

Jack (identified in the record by first name) told the council that federal and state benefits are being reduced and raised concern that the mayor’s budget prioritizes policing approaches to public-safety problems affecting people who are homeless or have substance-use disorders. Jack said those choices could leave people without evidence-based supports and result in criminalization: “When people's lives are shattered by the gutting of these services, they're gonna need our help,” he told the council.

Reverend Oliver Snow asked specifically which council members support relocating the shelter and demanded that supporters offer their own districts if relocation is to occur. Snow said he has asked council members for answers and will keep returning until he receives one.

Lenny Sundahl Stewart spoke in favor of the Marshall Health Network Arena, saying local businesses benefit from arena events and that staff should be given flexibility to book and promote events without excessive oversight.

Council members responded during the members’ remarks. Councilwoman Theresa Johnson said she does not see any budgeted funds in the current fiscal year to move the proposed low-barrier shelter at City Mission and said the Mission’s location is logistically appropriate. She cautioned that, until the city sees formal proposals or money allocated, talk of moving the shelter is not backed by funding. Councilwoman Walling urged civility in public discourse and encouraged residents to use public comments and social media respectfully; other council members similarly urged residents to attend the March 20 public hearing on the budget.

Mayor Farrell earlier in the meeting summarized his proposed budget priorities: public safety, infrastructure, and economic growth. He told council the discretionary contributions category is proposed to be reduced from $3,800,000 to $2,800,000 and said the administration will apply a transparent process to remaining microgrant distributions. He noted past discretionary contributions often included churches and local nonprofits and said the city no longer has COVID-era federal funds to distribute. The mayor reminded residents of a public hearing on the budget scheduled for March 20 at 5 p.m. and a public-safety listening session at the VFW in Guyandotte on March 6.

Speakers asked for clarity on relocation plans and on how the budget cuts will affect prevention services. Council members and staff acknowledged the public concern and directed residents to upcoming hearings and posted budget materials for further detail.