You won't believe what the New Bedford City Council just approved for the homeless population!

 NEW BEDFORD City council members on Thursday voted to consider a request that the city consider legal homeless encampments as a short-term emergency tool. 

Image : Google.com/New Bedford City

However, most members made it clear that they supported the discussion but did not support either side.

City Councilman Shane Burgo submitted a request to refer the item – which he said was part of a local group's report – to the Special Committee on Affordable Housing and Homeless Affairs that he chairs.

'Just a discussion of ideas'

Burgo said before the meeting, "This is just a discussion of ideas. We don't know where it will lead." He also said he wanted to hear the opinions of both parties on this issue.

But, he added, the need is real.

“At this point, I think it's cruel and unusual to tell homeless residents that you can't live below Route 18, but there's nowhere else you can go. I understand that it is not safe for them to live under the overpass on Route 18. But it is not safe for them. discussion - where we can place it."

Zero functional homelessness is the goal

He said the city's goal should be to reach functionally zero homelessness. It is when a community's homeless services system is able to prevent homelessness whenever possible and can ensure that while homelessness does occur, it is rare and short-lived.

The city has achieved that distinction with its large number of homeless veterans, Burgo said, adding that he is proud of the accomplishment.

He said data on the number of homeless people in the city taken in January had not been released.

Nearly 70 people will live on the streets in 2023

He said there were 373 adults sheltering or living on the streets at the January count. He said 67 people were living on the streets.

He said the New Bedford Outreach Workers Coalition has conducted research on families and individuals currently experiencing homelessness.

Burgo said they will put together a more up-to-date report using this year's numbers that he wants the committee to review, along with their suggestions.

Safety and health issues in unsupervised camps

Their thought process is that this is a safety and health issue, he said.

Unsupervised campsites lack proper sanitation. They also lack security, which can lead to violence and exploitation.

Burgo said if the committee's review leads to further action, there will be a public hearing where those concerned will be heard.

He added, "Ultimately we don't want people to live in tents. We want them to have a permanent housing solution."

The board voted 9-1 for discussion

The board voted 9-1 to refer the matter for discussion, with Leo Choquette voting in opposition.

And the council voted 9-1 against Choquette's amendment that would have referred the discussion to a committee but made no mention of tent cities or encampments.

Choquette said they should discuss “reasonable resolutions.”

Burgo said he wasn't asking for council approval of homeless encampments, just an opportunity for people on the front lines to discuss the issue.

Board members support discussions, not camps

Councilman Brian Gomes said he is not preventing his colleagues from bringing the issue to the committee for discussion, although he does not support the encampment and doesn't think he will change their minds.

Councilman Shawn Oliver said he has “strong opposition” to encampments, but the issue of homelessness needs to be discussed. Refusing to discuss it “will not make this problem go away,” he said.

Councilman Ian Abreu said the issue is worthy of deeper study, but he does not support encampments at this time and may never support them.

Councilman Ryan Pereira agreed, but said it was important to show leadership and discuss difficult issues. "I'm looking for a permanent solution."

Councilwoman Maria Giesta said the state and federal government are to blame for the homelessness problem, and it's a long-term problem. However, he said, the reality is that the city currently has a homeless and unlicensed encampment problem. "I look forward to the discussion."

Councilman Joseph Lopes said he supports Burgo but does not support city-sanctioned encampments.

Board member Linda Morad said she doesn't see any problem when the board refers an issue to a committee for discussion. "It worked," he said. Still, he added, he may or may not support city encampments.

Mayor Jon Mitchell has opposed the establishment of legal encampments.

Location:

Share :