After months of heated debate, rising public frustration, and a growing crisis on the streets, Portsmouth City Council is finally poised to take action. At next Monday’s council meeting, members will hear the first reading of a long-anticipated resolution to create a task force dedicated to addressing the city’s homelessness crisis.
This marks the first formal move toward a coordinated response after years of growing encampments, public health hazards, and rising tension among residents, city officials, and those experiencing homelessness.
Council’s First Concrete Step
The proposed legislation calls for the formation of a community task force with a facilitator and representatives from multiple agencies, aiming to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary plan to address the issue.
The resolution recognizes homelessness as a social, economic, and public health emergency, and acknowledges that no single agency or organization has the resources or capacity to address it alone. Council plans to welcome Margaret Selby as facilitator to help guide the task force and report back with monthly updates.
From Debates to Doing Something
The resolution comes after months of community meetings and debates. Back in December, officials considered an ordinance to ban homeless encampments, a move met with both support and concern.
Code Enforcement Officer Andy Gedeon raised alarm at the time, noting that there were at least nine encampments within city limits. “We’ve seen a dramatic increase in tent living,” he said, citing sanitation issues, drug use, and safety risks.
City Manager Sam Sutherland echoed those concerns, pointing to the Young Street Overpass, where the city once removed 600 tons of trash. He emphasized the city wasn’t trying to criminalize homelessness, but acknowledged it had become an escalating issue with no easy fix.
Even Mayor Charlotte Gordon shared troubling stories — including one about people allegedly living in backyards and garages without plumbing, posing serious health risks. “We’re talking about people using five-gallon buckets as toilets and dumping waste in alleys,” she said. “It’s a public safety issue.”
The Task Force Plan
Rather than rushing a ban, council members agreed a structured approach was needed. The new resolution proposes bringing together social workers, health officials, law enforcement, housing advocates, and others to craft a Portsmouth-specific solution.
Key elements of the resolution include:
- Forming a collaborative task force
- Monthly progress updates to City Council
- Support from outside officials and state agencies
- Recognition that affordable housing shortages and treatment facility access are crucial parts of the equation
The city is also expected to reconsider its current opposition to new drug treatment facilities, as many homeless individuals struggle with addiction or mental illness and need access to care before they can transition into housing.
Still a Long Road Ahead
While this resolution is a big first step, it’s just that — the first reading of a measure that must be read three times before it can be passed. Still, the move signals that council is finally ready to stop talking and start doing.
Council Vice President Lyvette Barnes-Mosely summed up the urgency: “We’re all trying to help, but the city can’t just push this off any longer. It’s time we all came together.”
Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story.
