Greensboro City Council considers new policy for homelessness services
Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Michelle Kennedy, left, discusses a possible policy to give preference for homelessness services to Greensboro residents at a city council work session on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. Screenshot: DJ Simmons/WFDD.
As the number of people without housing continues to grow, Greensboro City Council is considering implementing a policy to ensure local residents receive priority with services.
Housing Neighborhood and Development Director Michelle Kennedy told council on Thursday resources are stretched thin. She said people are also coming from outside the city.
A point in time study in January shows there were 452 individuals experiencing homelessness in Guilford County, up from 426 last year.
Kennedy said a new policy could give preference to local residents for services but it would not outright disqualify those who are not.
"If we have resources left after that we will certainly serve anyone else who presents in our community," she said. "But we have to figure out how to prioritize the people who truly live in our home communities."
She said defining a timeframe to determine an individual's residency will be key. There could be exceptions for minors or those at imminent risk due to pregnancy or medical conditions.
The city council tabled the discussion as work continues on a formal proposal.
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