Councilman Peláez to Host Town Hall on City’s Homelessness Response

August 25, 2020 - San Antonio

Discussing homelessness in SA. District 8 San Antonio City Councilman Manny Peláez speaks at San Antonio City Council’s Inaugration Day in 2019. On August 27, he will host a panel discussion about the City of San Antonio’s homelessness response via …

Discussing homelessness in SA. District 8 San Antonio City Councilman Manny Peláez speaks at San Antonio City Council’s Inaugration Day in 2019. On August 27, he will host a panel discussion about the City of San Antonio’s homelessness response via Facebook Live. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.

By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  • San Antonio City Councilman Manny Peláez will host a town hall on the City's response to homelessness on Thursday, August 27
  • The panel will include representatives from Haven for Hope, City of San Antonio Department of Health Services, DHS Homeless Services, and the San Antonio Police Department

San Antonio City Councilman Manny Peláez, who represents District 8, will host a town hall on the City of San Antonio’s collective community response to homelessness. The discussion will be held via Facebook Live from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 27. 

“With the Covid-19 pandemic creating unprecedented levels of need throughout San Antonio, many residents are wondering what is being done by their city leadership to support some of our most vulnerable residents and respond to homelessness,” said Peláez in a press release.

The event will feature a moderated panel including local experts and leaders involved in the City of San Antonio’s response to homelessness. The panel will include Haven for Hope President and CEO Kenneth Wilson, City of San Antonio Department of Health Services (DHS) Director Melody Woosley, DHS Homeless Services Administrator Morjoriee White, and a representative from the SAFFE Unit of the San Antonio Police Department. The 90-minute discussion will highlight how San Antonio responds to homelessness, how Covid-19 has affected operations, and what new programs will be implemented in the near future to reduce homelessness and promote public health in our community.

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“With homeowners and local businesses expressing frustrations with homeless encampments and litter, and concerns for the health and safety of those experiencing homelessness, it is important to highlight how the City and nonprofit partners are responding now, and what new initiatives are on the horizon,” said Peláez. 

The town hall can be accessed live or after the event here.

Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.