Mayor Randy Taylor joins us on the Monday, December 15 edition of OPEN AGENDA (S2 E77) to discuss the City of Salisbury's efforts to house the homeless population. The existing city-funded programs seem to be getting very little bang for the buck, thus a reevaluation is necessary. These programs do not appear to be effectively transitioning a significant portion of the homeless population to independence, but are rather fomenting perpetual reliance on taxpayer-funded support with little accountability. Alternative programs such as group facilities are discussed, and the need for more social services to assist vulnerable populations in achieving independence. We also address the manner in which vacant city council seats are filled, and the need to amend the city charter to ensure a more democratic process. And just for fun, we bring you some video footage of Salisbury's annual Christmas Parade held last week. It's events like this that make our community such a terrific place to live.
Please note the time stamps below:
1:38 What exactly is Housing First?
3:00 What are the Mayors intensions?
4:04 What is the goal of the program, exactly?
6:00 How can SBY partner with other non-profits?
10:32 Those that are “unhouseable”?
11:10 SBY City Parade
12:28 Melissa Holland’s Appointment
14:00 Could the city charter be changed?
17:34 Other City Challenges and Priorities
18:23 New Police initiatives
20:23 Evaluation of the City’s anti-homelessness initiatives
21:37 Are we making effective change to help people?
24:17 Homelessness Crisis is also a County Problem
27:15 Christmas Parade Footage!
