Birmingham City Council backs Home For All pilot program
On Tuesday, Birmingham City Council unanimously voted to approve the purchase of 50 micro-shelters and take proposals for services to support unhoused residents.
The Birmingham Times reports, "The plan, proposed by the city, is called 'Home for All' and will see officials spending an initial $975,000 for the purchase of micro-shelter materials and supplies from Everett, Washington-based Pallet Shelter, which bills itself as 'The Leader in Rapid-Response Villages.'"
Click the button below to read more from The Birmingham Times on the questions posed by council members and the hope the council has for the impact of the new program.
Dr. Meghan Venable-Thomas describes the spirit of Home For All program
“When I think of home I think of a place where love’s overflowing.” This is the first line of a song in a musical I watched recently, “The Wiz.” A retake on the film “The Wizard of Oz” in which Dorothy, played by Diana Ross, is transported to an unfamiliar world making new friends along the way but ultimately all in the pursuit of getting back home.
Why would the whole premise of this iconic story and remake be all about home? Why is home so important? When I think of home, I think of a place I feel safe and well.
Where I can find peace, comfort, and support. A place of retreat and respite that allows me to show up every day. Imagine if the place you called home wasn’t any of those things, or if you didn’t have a place to call home at all.
Click the button below to read Dr. Venable-Thomas' description of what home means for us all and how the City is excited to take such a significant step in creating a pathway to home for many.
For City of Birmingham's Don Lupo, shelter project strikes an emotional chord
The impact of Home For All is not just on our unhoused residents. Roy S. Johnson writes of the journey Don Lupo has lived leading to this moment and what it means for all that he works for.
Johson writes, "It took all he could muster to not rewind what those eyes have seen in a job that became a purpose, a job that began just before the turn of this century, a job he’s held under four Birmingham mayors—a job he’s become."
Click the button below to read the full article and learn more about allies of our unhoused community are feeling hopeful.
Mayor Woodfin presents resolution for 5% cost of living increase for employees
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin presented resolutions of intent for a 5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all city employees and to fund new venues and restore key facilities during a meeting of the Birmingham City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee today.
The 5% COLA for employees, coupled with last year’s raise, would provide a cumulative 10% cost of living adjustment for all employees within a 12 month period.
“The city’s greatest asset to serve Birmingham is our people, the employees of our city. We appreciate your sacrifice and commitment,” Mayor Woodfin said. “The city is committed to investing in all city employees and providing competitive compensation in order to retain and recruit a customer-service based, efficient and effective workforce.”
Click the button below to learn more about the City's investment in people, its "greatest asset," and venues to increase economic impact.