City Council Caucus 10-20-26

At the October 20, 2026 City Council public caucus, council members heard from representatives of the county’s unsheltered task force, St. Francis Community Center, and related service organizations about homelessness response and preparations for the coming winter. Discussion covered public access to task-force meetings, outreach and case management, service coordination, and the need for more affordable and transitional housing. Representatives said a grant will support a new Community Intervention Center street-outreach position, and the county has identified funding for Catholic Social Services’ housing and case-management work. No contract award, procurement vote, or spending motion was reported.

Officials described Code Blue arrangements, including 50 beds at Weston Field and 26 at St. Ann’s Haven (six for women and 20 for men), with contingency plans for overflow and coordination among providers. The city can declare Code Blue independently of the county, and officials said the shelter provider arrangement and staffing are in place; Code Blue was activated 86 nights last season. Participants also discussed declining HUD funding, limited shelter capacity for women and families, donation guidance, and the need for sustainable funding for additional housing. Council members asked for clearer public information and suggested holding another caucus during the season; no formal action was taken.