Irving residents urge more shelter services, accessible parks and restored domestic-violence shelter in public comments

Speakers during the June 26 public-comment period urged the Irving City Council to prioritize direct services for people experiencing homelessness, to restore seating and accessibility at public parks, and to support rebuilding a local domestic-violence shelter.

Angie Hoskins, who identified herself as disabled and living in South Irving, said she found no benches at Heritage Park during a recent visit and described the change as effectively restricting her access. “I rely on these benches no matter where I go because I can't walk very far,” Hoskins said, and she urged the council to “show compassion, love, concern and mercy for all residents of Irving” and to consider returning a previously allocated $2,900,000 to homelessness services.

April Sanderson, a long-time Irving resident and volunteer with Live Change Housing, said the city should address root causes rather than “sweeping people out of sight.” She told the council that nonprofit partners have successfully housed people — citing Live Change Housing's work housing more than 100 people in the last 18 months — and warned that making conditions uncomfortable downtown would simply shift encampments to other neighborhoods.

Sharon Barbosa Crane, speaking on behalf of the South Irving Task Force, thanked city staff for quickly expanding an adopt-a-spot program to include parks and said the Irving Hispanic Community Forum has already adopted Southwest Park. Crane also renewed a request that the city make a domestic-violence shelter a priority, noting that the city previously had a shelter for about 30 years that later closed.

Michael Birney and other speakers raised individual concerns: Birney asked to meet with staff about chronic backyard flooding at his property and was referred to municipal drainage staff for follow-up during the meeting.

Council staff and the mayor acknowledged these comments during the meeting; staff were directed in at least one instance to meet with a resident after the meeting to discuss drainage complaints. No new funding decisions were made during the public-comment period; several speakers asked the council to reallocate existing funds to direct homelessness services or to otherwise coordinate with nonprofit service providers.

Ending: The council heard a range of public concerns on homelessness, park maintenance and individual infrastructure complaints; residents urged a mix of immediate service funding and longer-term community-led solutions. Several speakers offered to work with the city and nonprofits on shelter and park programs.