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Advocates urge 'housing‑first' and council advances ordinance to bar out‑of‑jurisdiction displacement
Summary
Advocates pressed council for evidence‑based 'housing first' solutions and interim permitted villages; the council advanced a first‑reading ordinance that would prohibit knowingly transporting and dropping non‑local transient individuals into Joplin, while members debated enforceability and exceptions for medical, shelter and court cases.
Multiple advocates spoke during public comment, urging a housing‑first approach and interim, permitted encampments while permanent solutions are built. Amanda Bearden of Next Step Joplin cited national guidance and peer‑reviewed studies, urging humane interim options and arguing that clearing encampments without housing ‘‘does not solve homelessness’’ and can worsen outcomes.
After public comment, Assistant City Attorney presented council bill 2025‑012, an ordinance to prohibit ‘‘the…
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