The Birmingham City Council has delayed a vote on a proposed 12-month, $1.7 million contract with the nonprofit Urban Alchemy. The contract is tied to a project called The Oasis, which has raised concerns among council members and residents.
The project would create a designated site for people experiencing homelessness or addiction. Urban Alchemy says it would provide safety, supervision and support services, but some officials question whether it would achieve those goals.
Concerns raised include the possibility of creating an open-air drug market, whether the program is a good use of taxpayer money, a lack of clarity on what counts as a wraparound service, and limited transparency and data in the contract…