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Resident urges 24/7 warming centers, criticizes shelter capacity in public comment
Summary
During public comment a resident urged the committee to open warming centers around the clock and criticized partners for not taking new people; the committee heard the plea but took no formal action.
During the public-comment period a resident identified as Molly urged the committee to open 24/7 warming centers and faulted current city rules and partner shelter capacity for endangering people who are unsheltered.
Molly said the city’s rule that shelters not open round-the-clock until temperatures reach 32°F puts people at risk and asked, “Por favor, abran los centros de calentamiento 24 24 7.” She told the committee that people are “peleando el poder sobrevivir” outdoors and said a local hotel placement partner appeared to be at low occupancy while some agencies were not accepting new people.
Several other public commenters also spoke in favor of continuing and expanding community health and food-access programs that support residents’ health and stability.
The committee heard the comments and thanked speakers; staff and councilmembers did not take immediate action during the meeting but the remarks were entered into the record for follow-up by council offices and relevant departments.
What’s next: the committee did not vote on new shelter policy; the public comment will be available to council offices and staff working on shelter and warming-center policy.
