The Birmingham City Council could soon vote on using $600,000 in opioid settlement money to build a park that will serve as a resource for residents experiencing homelessness
But during a recent meeting, two council members expressed concerns that the nonprofit group that would oversee the park, and that currently provides homeless services to the city, isn’t doing enough for the money it’s being paid.
The discussion came during a council meeting last week in which the city’s director of special projects, Alanah Melton, presented data on the services provided by Urban Alchemy so far this year.
The city is paying the California-based Urban Alchemy $1.7 million to lead a new program focused on serving the city’s unhoused residents in crisis. Called the Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team program, or Heart, these workers answer calls from the community for issues such as loitering, mental health crises and public disturbances. They provide assistance by connecting residents in crisis to other resources and service providers…