Jefferson City Task Force on Homelessness hears from stakeholders at third meeting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Task Force on Homelessness on Thursday heard from three organizations who can provide services in the Jefferson City area.

The City Council approved the creation of the task force in June. The task force unites several groups, including law enforcement, elected officials and nonprofits to focus on addressing issues around homelessness in Jefferson City.

Thursday's meeting provided information from stakeholders who work with unhoused people in the community. The Department of Mental Health provided insights on its housing initiatives.

Compass Health shared information about its programs, which led to a discussion about mental health and the role it can play in the lives of people needing shelter. The Salvation Army Center of Hope also described the various services it provides.

Salvation Army Major and Taskforce Chairman Justin Windell said having these types of conversations will help fill gaps for the homeless people of Jefferson City.

"It's moving along a little bit better this week," Windell said. "We finally got a chance to hear from some stakeholders and people that work with the unhoused and [it's] kind of an educational moment to really see how we could better serve, maybe find some gaps that we have."

At the task force's last meeting, it created a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the resources of each of its involved organizations to compile into one report.

"We're going to get that report together to eventually give to the City Council for some recommendations," Windell said.

The task force's next meeting will be Jan. 9.