Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges council to expand services for people struggling with housing and basic needs
Summary
A Ridgecrest resident told the council during public comment that local services beyond Salvation Army are insufficient for people experiencing homelessness and that county assistance has long wait times; the council did not act but heard the concerns.
During the April 2 public comment period a Ridgecrest resident identified as Brenda told the City Council she had encountered people experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental-health issues and called for more local assistance beyond existing providers.
In her remarks Brenda said she spoke with a man who had followed his wife to the area and was trying to find work on the nearby base but was unable to, and another man who was working three jobs but could not secure stable employment. She said the Salvation Army was one local resource but that other options for at-risk residents were limited. "He had told me he applied for assistance with Kern County, but it takes 3 months for anything to happen," Brenda said.
The council did not take action on the comment; the public-comment period is an opportunity to raise issues for staff and council awareness. No specific staff direction or follow-up was recorded on the record during the meeting.
