Homelessness

Shared personal experiences of homelessness and advocated for enhanced housing and support.

Akilah shared her personal experience of receiving help from the WAM program, which provided her with housing and support to get back on her feet.

She runs a foundation helping young men coming out of prison and foster care find housing and job training.

Suggested using vacant school buildings for temporary housing and exploring partnerships with suburban hospital districts and faith-based organizations.

Urged council to allocate general fund resources toward eviction prevention and legal aid to address homelessness.

As a Metro customer, he highlighted issues with homelessness on public transit, particularly for those with mental health challenges. He stressed the need for compassion but also for assisted living or nursing home options for individuals who cannot live independently, questioning if society is abandoning the mentally ill.