Columbia agrees to enter agreements with local overnight homeless shelters totaling $1 million

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council on Monday night approved a resolution to enter two agreements for homeless services in the city for the next year.

The city will pay two entities more than $1 million to provide overnight shelter services. The council memo states $584,956 will go to the Voluntary Action Center for overnight shelter services, while $431,978 will be paid to Turning Point for homeless drop-in center services and an overnight warming center.

The resolution was moved off the consent agenda and amended because the council memo did not have the correct total listed, however the contracts listed on the agenda did have the correct totals.

“These services reduce the risks associated with exposure to the elements, provide safe spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness, and address immediate shelter and stabilization needs,” the council memo states.