After the city passed an ordinance last summer that banned camping in certain cases, enforceable as an infraction, council committed to doing more for the homeless.
At the first council meeting of 2026, they started that work by directing staff to seek a partner for a low- or no- barrier shelter. Housing Director Rachel Shuler says that’s where the most need is in Wilmington, and it can be a challenge for many providers.
“Where you get into the extremely low or no barrier is when you’re looking at folks that may have some criminal background, that may not be able to be in the same population as families or children,” Shuler said…