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Residents urge Brainerd council to restore shelter access and services
Summary
During public forum, several residents described hardships after shelter closure and asked the council to reopen or provide alternatives for people experiencing homelessness; speakers urged better council communication and collaboration with service groups.
Multiple residents used the May 19 public forum to press the council on homelessness and shelter access in Brainerd.
Pam Bolio (S7), who volunteers with local organizations, asked the council to consider why services available for stray or abandoned animals are not similarly extended to people in need. "If we do it for the animals in this area, why is it not available to human beings?" she asked.
Randy Wickham (S8) said he emailed council members and received only one response; he described the night the shelter closed when people sheltered outdoors in the rain and urged the council to open a safe place for people to sleep. "These are the most vulnerable of our population," Wickham said.
Emma Needham (S9) described mounting medical bills after a family illness and said she feared losing her home despite working; she asked the council to listen to constituents who may not have other supports.
Representatives of Bridges of Hope and community members said they will continue to press the council for a public discussion and for staff engagement on possible solutions.
The council did not take a formal action on shelter operations at the May 19 meeting. Several council members and staff listened and suggested continuing conversations between city staff, community nonprofits and council members.
