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Zoom panel Wednesday to discuss ways Salem is addressing homelessness

Matt Herbert offers a man a sleeping bag during the annual point in time count on Jan. 26, 2021. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)

Join the League of Women Voters Wednesday evening as they update the Salem community on projects and programs in place to help the area’s unsheltered.

A panel of women from the city and local nonprofits will talk about housing projects and other programs in the works to address the homelessness crisis from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Panelists include Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark, chairperson of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance; Stephanie Bobb, resource development manager at United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley; Kristin Retherford, Salem’s Urban Development director; and Vanessa Nordyke, a Salem city councilor.

Cindy Burgess, the league’s chairperson for publicity, said the group aims to educate citizens to be informed and become aware of local issues.

Retherford will talk about housing projects in the works like Yaquina Hall and Sequoia Crossings. She will also discuss Redwood Crossings, the city’s first permanent supportive housing project.

Nordyke will talk about projects the city is working toward to address homelessness like a mobile response unit to handle low-level 911 calls, like for people in mental distress, instead of police.  

At the end of the panel, people can ask questions in the chat.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Marion & Polk Counties. To get the Zoom links, e-mail [email protected].

-Saphara Harrell