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Councilors and residents press for clarity on shelters, Code Blue services
Summary
Public comments urged action on homelessness and Code Blue services; councilors described shelter hours and said the city would publish a consolidated list of winter shelter options and services.
Several residents told the Scranton City Council on Jan. 28 they want clearer information and faster action on homelessness and winter “Code Blue” shelter operations. Council members described existing shelter options and said they will work to publish a consolidated list of services.
At the meeting, Councilman McCandrell offered sympathies to residents impacted by homelessness and said local providers have options beyond the evening shelter. “There is a place for them to go after 8 o’clock,” McCandrell said, describing the coordinated shelter and daytime services. Council members and staff later outlined the city’s winter shelter procedures: the overnight shelter at Western Field (982 Providence Road) operates from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m.; the Community Intervention Center, at 445 North Sixth Ave., operates daytime hours and provides mail, referrals and other services; Saint Anthony’s Haven also provides services to people experiencing homelessness. Council staff said they will work with the mayor’s office and department staff to compile a short, public list of shelter and support locations for the city website.
Public commenters asked whether families and people with special needs would be prioritized and urged more permanent housing options, employment assistance and counseling in addition to overnight sheltering. Norma (last name not specified), who described organizing volunteers and committees in a hypothetical shelter scenario, said creating a functioning facility could take more than a year. Council members acknowledged the need for outreach and said a city task force is available and active; McCandrell said he would follow up with additional information at a later meeting.
Why it matters: Residents and service providers have pushed for clarity on where people are directed during Code Blue calls and what services are available during daytime hours. That information affects families, people experiencing homelessness and agencies coordinating shelter beds and casework.
Ending: Council members said they would work to publish a concise public guide to winter shelters and services and to follow up with additional details at future council meetings.
