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City proclaims World Homeless Day; local alliance urges decriminalization of homelessness
Summary
Council proclaimed World Homeless Day and representatives from the Community Awareness Alliance urged repeal of recent 'no camping' and 'no panhandling' ordinances and asked for a seat at planning tables; staff accepted the proclamation and recorded the alliance's request for follow-up.
The Fayetteville City Council proclaimed Oct. 10 as World Homeless Day and heard an appeal from a Community Awareness Alliance representative who urged policy changes to avoid criminalizing people experiencing homelessness.
Following the mayor's proclamation, a Community Awareness Alliance speaker accepted the honor on behalf of local partners and described the group's work supporting people experiencing homelessness, including advocacy for housing justice and services. The speaker urged the council to "decriminalize being unhoused by repealing the new no camping and no panhandling ordinances," and asked that advocacy organizations and impacted community members have a formal role in future strategy discussions.
The council's proclamations were ceremonial and no ordinance action occurred at the Oct. 13 meeting. City staff did not indicate a timeline for legislative changes in response to the alliance's request; the speaker asked for the city's consideration and a seat at future strategy sessions addressing homelessness.
Office of Community Safety staff were present at the meeting and later described on the record that their office continues to coordinate outreach, referrals and field visits; City leaders said OCS will be included in future quarterly reports so the council and public can better track the office's work.
