"homelessness"

The City and Borough of Juneau gave notice earlier this week for people camping on Teal Street that they need to vacate the area by Friday morning.

The shelter accepts anyone who comes in search of a place to sleep, as long as they aren’t disruptive to other patrons. It’s a stopgap solution and meant to be a last resort for people to go for the night when the weather gets cold.

When Juneau’s homeless shelter limited day services this summer, a group of churches mobilized to fill the gap by distributing hot meals in a food truck downtown.

The city’s Systemic Racism Review Committee considered the ordinance earlier this month and formally asked the Assembly to reject it. They cited concerns that the change would disproportionately impact marginalized communities and could be discriminatory.

Shelter staff, patrons and neighbors asked the Assembly to take action to protect the Teal Street area. They say it has become unsafe because of threats from some unhoused people camping in the vicinity.

The proposal comes as city leaders say they’ve received a growing number of complaints from residents and businesses about the problems that people without housing are causing for surrounding neighborhoods.