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Council discusses creating community advisory board to coordinate homeless services
Summary
Councilors discussed forming a community advisory board to connect business owners, service providers and residents to coordinate responses to homelessness; no formal vote was taken and staff will place the item on a future agenda for next steps.
The City Council held a discussion-only item on creating a community advisory board intended to coordinate services, business interests and community groups addressing homelessness in McAlester.
Councilors said the proposed advisory board would convene representatives from service providers, business owners and residents to improve coordination and avoid ad-hoc responses. A council member reported a recent street-level head count conducted by a local group (Humanity 918) that found about 55 people sleeping outdoors on the night counted; staff and council noted other providers such as SSVF and Compassion 365 as potential partners.
Council members emphasized two objectives: ensure people experiencing homelessness have a “seat at the table” and preserve dignity while connecting them to housing, employment and services. Councilors discussed balancing business needs and neighborhood livability with humane outreach and supports. No formal action was taken; councilors asked staff to place a draft advisory-board structure on a future agenda for possible creation.
Ending: Staff will draft an outline for the advisory board, including suggested membership (service providers, business representatives, housing advocates and residents) and return to council for formal consideration.
