Lubbock Homelessness Committee Recommends No Major Changes, Says Private Charities Address Issue

At their meeting this week, the Lubbock City Council heard recommendations from the City’s Homelessness Committee, and after nearly six months of investigating the issue, the committee recommended no substantial changes to the current policies and facilities.

Lynn McClendon, chairwoman of the City’s Homelessness Committee, outlined the recommendations of the committee at Tuesday morning’s meeting.

The 16-member committee recommended that the City endorse organizations such as the South Plains Homeless Consortium as the networking vehicle for all parties interested in helping the homeless, the United Way Homeless Oversight Committee for analyzing the needs for the homeless or those at risk of being homeless.

The group also suggested that the city maintain and enforce ordinances concerning loitering, public intoxication, and curfew, and that the City of Lubbock adopts “people first” language, which would use the words “people that are homeless”, rather than simply as homeless.

The committee found that most of the needs of the homeless in Lubbock are being met by private organizations, and some are taking advantage of the amount of charitable opportunities in the area, leading the group to suggest that the South Plains Homeless Consortium can help keep track of meals and other support that the area homeless are receiving.

After delivering their recommendations, the committee was disbanded. Mayor Martin thanked those that served on the committee, and had a few thoughts on one of their recommendations.