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Multiple speakers urge council to investigate shelter operations and prioritize long-term residents
Summary
Public commenters criticized shelter operator changes and long waitlists, described personal homelessness and called for council oversight of nonprofit contractors; some speakers accused the city of prioritizing newcomers over longtime Black residents.
Several public commenters used the council’s general comment period to press for stronger oversight of shelter operations and to call attention to long shelter wait lists. Moab Baysha criticized the city’s decision to replace the Salvation Army with a contractor he called “Alchemy,” calling the change “false advertising” and alleging poor treatment of shelter residents and weak fiscal oversight. He urged council members to visit shelters and enforce fiduciary duties.
A Spanish-language commenter identified as Rosanna Milvera described being evicted, living temporarily at a friend’s house with two children, and repeatedly being placed on shelter wait lists despite urgent need. She asked for help for her family and others in similar situations.
Jesse LaShawn Paris, representing several community organizations, agreed with earlier speakers and contended council priorities favored recent arrivals and contractors over foundational Black residents, raised concerns about gentrification and wait lists, and urged the council to put long-term Black residents first. Parts of Paris’s remarks drew interruptions in the chamber.
No formal motions or council responses were recorded during the comment period; statements were presented as public testimony.
