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Durham council urges staff to address tent distribution for unsheltered residents while policy is finalized
Summary
Council members pressed city staff to act urgently after HSAC raised questions about the distribution of tents to people sleeping unsheltered. Council gave managers guidance to allow frontline workers discretion to provide tents while the Homeless Services Advisory Committee finalizes an encampment policy.
Durham City Council members on Tuesday directed city staff to treat the distribution of tents to unsheltered residents as an urgent operational issue while the Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAAC) finishes a formal encampment policy.
Council Member Chelsea Cook, who serves on the HSAAC, asked the council to “remove the ban on handing out tents until that policy is developed,” saying the city does not currently have shelter capacity for everyone who has sought help and that waiting for a final policy could put people at risk as temperatures fall.
The council’s discussion clarified that the pause on issuing tents originated after concerns were raised by some HSAAC members and by staff. Deputy City Manager Beau Ferguson said the HEART community response teams had earlier distributed tents using departmental budgets and that the pause was made because “there were some policy concerns amongst HSAAC that it may complicate the system.”
Mayor Williams told the council: “The city of Durham does not have a ban on giving out tents,” and that staff should work with community partners. Community Safety Director Ryan Smith said the city keeps a small supply of tents in inventory and offered to report the exact number to the council.
Several council members emphasized the difference between short-term triage and long-term shelter strategy. Council Member Parsons (Council Member Wrist) and others said tents are not a substitute for emergency shelter and urged a faster rollout of temporary and longer-term shelter capacity during winter. Council Member Caballero proposed a limited 30-day window to allow tent distribution while staff and partners pursue mid-budget emergency options.
City staff and managers said the encampment policy draft is complete and has undergone internal review; the HSAAC and multiple departments must still align on implementation details, including safety, storage and clean-up of issued tents. City Manager’s Office staff noted the policy is an HSAAC product (the HSAAC is the community-led body that develops operations for the continuum of care) and that the city provides administrative support for committee work.
After extended discussion, the council did not take a formal vote to change policy; instead members gave direction to staff to act with urgency and to ensure frontline HEART workers would not be penalized if they provided tents in triage situations. Deputy City Manager Ferguson said staff will return to the council with details and implement as needed in coordination with HSAAC and county partners.
The council emphasized two priorities: protect people exposed to worsening winter conditions now, and complete a vetted, cross-agency encampment policy so tent distribution is managed consistently going forward.
Several community members and nonprofit representatives who spoke during public comment supported emergency tent provision and called for rapid action. Mayor Williams asked staff to report back with clarifying information about available shelter beds, inventory and HSAAC timelines.
Looking ahead, staff said they would continue finalizing the HSAAC encampment policy and provide the council a status update; the city will coordinate with county partners and community providers on immediate winter shelter and interim measures.
