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Residents and program participants urge Salisbury council to preserve Housing First funding
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Summary
Several residents, Housing First participants and shelter staff told the council the program provides permanent supportive housing and urged officials not to dismantle or replace it without a detailed, funded plan.
Salisbury — Participants and providers of the city’s Housing First program pressed the City Council on Nov. 24 to preserve the program after speakers said the city is considering dismantling the permanent model and replacing it with short‑term options.
Rachel Mitchell, a District 2 resident, said the budget for FY2026 included $95,000 for Housing First and asked the council to veto any move to dismantle the program. "There is no way to save money in our budget in a way that is morally responsible if it comes at the cost of hurting these most vulnerable people," Mitchell said.
Why it matters: Multiple speakers said Housing First — first launched by the city in 2017 — provides long‑term stability, reduces emergency costs and is supported by national evidence. Program participants described the program as "permanent supportive housing" under HUD guidance and said removing permanence would harm residents who relied on the promise of indefinite support.
Participant testimony: Lisa Hawkins, who identified herself as part of the Housing First program, said she had been homeless for six years before entering the program and believed the housing was permanent. "Permanent means permanent," she said, and asked the council to honor that expectation rather than switch to time‑limited rapid‑rehousing models.
Service providers' view: Christie, who works at a local homeless shelter, described shelters at capacity and argued 90‑day stays followed by 60 days out of shelter create a revolving door that does not allow people to stabilize. "There is no solution right now," she said, urging more capacity and longer‑term supports.
Budget context: Speakers compared the $95,000 Housing First allocation to other items in the FY2026 budget and urged the council to prioritize housing dollars over discretionary spending. Several commenters suggested the city explore expanding supportive housing on city‑owned lots adjacent to existing facilities.
Council record and next steps: The legislative session did not contain a council vote to change Housing First; public commenters requested that the council preserve the program and provide a clear plan if any changes are proposed. The program’s future appears tied to the council’s upcoming budget and work‑session deliberations.
