IFARGO, ND) – The Fargo City Commission is narrowly approving a request from Fargo Cass Public Health relating to homelessness.
After a presentation from Fargo-Moorhead Coalition to End Homelessness Executive Director Chandler Esslinger and United Way of Cass-Clay Director of Community Impact Taylor Syvertson, the commission learned that a group had identified 22 housing units as options to house the homeless or those at risk. Esslinger said a total of between 55 and 65 units will be needed.
Jenn Faul, Director of Fargo Cass Public Health, requested the commission extend the use of warming center staff and services, with no cost to the city taxpayers, through May 30. She told commissioners that grant funding is available to cover the cost to the city.
Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the request from Faul, with Dave Piepkorn and Michelle Turnberg voting no.
Turnberg voiced concerns that the issue isn’t necessarily homelessness.
“This is chronic drug use, chronic alcoholism and mental health,” she said. “It seems like (in) Fargo, we’re more prioritizing safe illegal drug use than we are getting rid of it.”
Piepkorn voiced issue with the city becoming a hub.
“This isn’t Fargo citizens, there are people from all over the region that come here for free services, paid for by taxpayers,” he said. “So we’re funding our own demise.”
Fargo Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney told commissioners that three percent of those coming to Fargo are from across the state – according to data to the legislative body.
