City of Columbia officials held a press conference on October 26, 2022, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, City Councilwoman Aditi Bussells, City Manager Teresa Wilson, Assistant City Manager Henry Simons, and Homeless Services Director Kameisha Heppard spoke to media representatives and local homeless services partners to give an update on the status of the construction project.
Construction is currently in progress and 50 Pallet shelters are being built at the site. Each Pallet shelter will accommodate single occupancy.
Various City of Columbia departments/divisions have contributed to the success of the ongoing construction including Parks and Recreation, Fire Department, Police Department/Code Enforcement, Utilities, Engineering, Public Works, and Support Services. Construction of the Pallet shelters is being performed by city staff from these departments. Rapid Shelter Columbia is scheduled to open on November 1, 2022.
Below are quotes from various speakers who commented during yesterday’s 2 PM press conference.
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann
“This project in less than 70 days came from email research to reality, in less than 70 days. This is temporary, our long-term goal is to provide permanent solutions through the wrap-around services that will be provided to each and every individual who is suffering through homelessness.”
Councilwoman Aditi Bussells
“This is something that affects everyone. No neighbor and no citizen should be forced to live on the street. We knew that by November 1st when temperatures typically drop, we had to do something and in our research and conversations with providers and community members we realized no one was actually focused on this specific population.”
City Manager Teresa Wilson
“I’m so grateful, so extremely proud of this team. It has just been the epitome of what Columbia is, coming together to make something happen that was just an idea for our community. I feel confident from the City’s perspective, we’re looking at a new era to help end homelessness in our community”.
Assistant City Manager Henry Simons
“We are finalizing the construction of Pallet shelters for our chronically unsheltered homeless population. Fifty of these shelters are 64-square-foot units that will house one person each. Each unit is equipped with an air condition unit, heat, a fire extinguisher, convenience outlets with two USB ports, an emergency exit door, and one bed.”
Homeless Services Director Kameisha Heppard
“I’m excited about doing something that has never been done before. I’m encouraged because I’m a part of a great community where the resources already exist so it will not be a hard thing to bring individuals experiencing homelessness into these single occupancy Pallets.”