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Residents tell Durham council to expand warming spaces, housing and violence-prevention efforts
Summary
During public comment, residents and advocates described homelessness and cold-weather impacts, asked the city to open daytime warming spaces, use vacant buildings, and expand housing resources, and urged the council to include community-led violence-prevention efforts.
A series of public commenters urged Durham elected officials to take more aggressive action on homelessness, warming-space access and violence prevention.
Mary Molina described losing housing, family and employment and appealed directly to the council: "I'm homeless. Can you see me now?" Former Council Member Louisa Seibold said library access was delayed during the winter storm and urged better warming-space coordination for people who must leave shelters during morning hours. Angela Vic Lewis, who described herself as having lived experience with homelessness and as a volunteer, asked the city to open vacant buildings or daytime warming spaces and to do more to protect elderly and unsheltered people during extreme cold. "These people need help before we be having bodies," she said.
Dennis Garrett, speaking about rising violence, said he wanted to be included in prevention efforts and meet with city leaders: "I'm here to be in the middle. Let me be the translator from the streets to the county commissioners," he said. Ken Pew urged the council to uphold the urban growth boundary to foster density and infill and avoid premature sprawl.
Speakers called for more coordinated outreach and for the council to prioritize humane, immediate actions to protect unsheltered residents during winter weather. Council members acknowledged the comments and noted ongoing work the city and county are doing on shelter and housing. Staff and council members referenced the city's winter-response operations and community partners who run warming shelters and drop-in options.
Ending: Council members and staff said they hear the urgency in public comments and pointed to ongoing interagency coordination; several council members invited follow-up conversations with the speakers and community organizations.
