Erica C. Barnett

ericacbarnett.bsky.social

28 September 2026 19:14

Did the mayor ask council member Hollingsworth or other councilmembers about extending this one-time funding for food, Strauss wants to know. The budget director says yes, they did discuss this with the council but that they are just continuing existing programs rather than cutting them.

Erica C. Barnett

ericacbarnett.bsky.social

28 September 2026 19:14

In other words, Strauss says, food is a great and important thing to provide once they've made sure all the "chartered" responsibilities are taken care of first. The amount they're debating is $4 million for food banks and $1 million for meals that will otherwise be eliminated this year.

Erica C. Barnett

ericacbarnett.bsky.social

28 September 2026 19:13

Strauss wants to know why Wilson's budget made some adds for food banks—made by Bruce Harrell in his budget—ongoing. "Providing food is not a chartered responsibility," Strauss said, unlike police and fire.

Erica C. Barnett

ericacbarnett.bsky.social

28 September 2026 19:12

I'm surprised that as someone who has been on the council this long, Dan Strauss is unaware that it's really hard for chronically homeless people to move into permanent housing in many cases. He also incorrectly uses "tiny houses" and "low-acuity shelter" as synonyms, which they are not.

Erica C. Barnett

ericacbarnett.bsky.social

28 September 2026 19:11

HSD's homelessness director says the UCT has continued to "iterate" its approach (ugh, can we retire this word) and notes that they're trying to help people who continue to have tents while having shelter and housing as they always have, to the extent possible.