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Residents, council debate volunteer home-hosting registry for people experiencing homelessness
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Summary
At a Carbondale City Council meeting, residents and council members sparred over a proposed registry of private homes to shelter people experiencing homelessness; residents raised safety, lease and vetting concerns while some council members endorsed exploring community-driven options. No formal policy was adopted.
At the Carbondale City Council meeting, residents and council members debated a proposal to create a voluntary registry of private homeowners willing to provide short-term housing to people experiencing homelessness. Several public commenters urged caution; council members said they would continue conversations with staff and community partners but took no formal vote.
Resident Christine Lesinski told the council the registry idea posed serious safety and legal concerns and argued housing placements should be handled by trained professionals rather than informal matches. "This registry can't be the best idea you've got," she said, warning of exploitation and lease violations if strangers were billeted in private homes.
Beth Libby, another resident, asked whether the city has a plan for homelessness and suggested bringing mayors from other Illinois cities to share solutions. She also urged interim measures for a local encampment: "we might consider providing an additional porta potty to ensure that we have a more cleanliness in the area," she said.
Council member Colombo offered to share his proposal and to work with staff and residents, saying he had responded to an email from Manager Reno and expressing support for moving the idea forward. "I am a full yes for anything that we would need to do as a community to move that forward," he said. Council member Lowes said he had been serious about the idea and emphasized alternatives to hosting, including volunteering time or donating money to local organizations.
Council discussion focused on balancing community engagement and safety. Several members reiterated limits on the council's authority to address criminal-record issues raised by recurring public speakers, and one council member suggested procedural changes to keep public comments focused. No ordinance, resolution or formal pilot program was proposed or adopted at the meeting. Council members and staff indicated they would continue to engage with community groups and follow up on ideas raised during public comment.
The meeting record shows no formal vote or directive to implement a registry; the discussion was part of ongoing community dialogue about homelessness and possible next steps.
