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Council discusses halted shower outreach program and explores alternatives with COG, churches
Summary
Council members described a past shower-and-outreach program run with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments that connected people experiencing homelessness to jobs and housing; the town said the program stopped after liability-insurance limits, and staff are exploring alternative locations and partners to resume services.
A council member described a town-supported outreach program that provided showers and case‑management connections to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The council member said the program, run in partnership with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (COG), helped connect several people to housing and jobs and allowed police and staff to learn residents’ names and needs.
Council members said they were told the program had to stop after a complaint raised insurance coverage questions. The town manager explained that the town’s liability insurance did not cover recurring events in the program’s prior structure and that each event would require a separate policy under the current insurer. Staff said the town is exploring alternative locations—such as churches or the YMCA—where the program could resume with police involvement and COG support.
Council members praised the partnership and urged the town to pursue options to restore outreach services in a way that meets insurance requirements. The discussion closed with a request to pursue alternate venues and partnerships while ensuring safety and appropriate insurance coverage.
