St. Joseph residents and officials meet to discuss homeless individuals
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- On Wednesday evening, community members, city leaders, and service providers gathered to talk openly about homelessness within St. Joseph and surrounding communities.
Among those who stepped forward was Diana Latham, who wants “to speak about the homeless in our community.” When asked what she personally wants done, her answer was direct. “I’d like to see them get housed. I’d like to see them be respected. I’d like to see them move up. Move forward. I would like to see them progress.”
Latham acknowledged that local elected officials, including the mayor and city council, have talked about wanting to help the homeless population.
But she suggested her vision differs from the city’s current approach. “I know some of the homeless have not been treated well,” she said. “They’re either do what they’re told and move on and move on and move someplace to someplace, or get a ticket and leave. And getting a ticket and leave is not an option. We should be able to help them right here in our own city.”
Affordable housing was her suggestion. “We need to build some housing, get some good housing, and let these people live like regular, normal people.”
City Manager Mike Schumacher acknowledged the depth of the challenge.
For him, the first step is awareness. “I don’t think the community as a whole is aware of everything that the community does already,” Schumacher said.
He pointed to existing efforts like the Community Care Support program at the municipal court level, which provides intensive services for homeless individuals involved in minor, petty nuisance crimes.
Still, he emphasized that this is not a local problem alone. “This is a national issue,” Schumacher said. “Every city in the United States is currently trying to navigate this topic. What will make it better and different here is that we’re going to work together to do our best to have a positive impact.”
Other discussion turned to more granular details.
Dakota Allen, local activist and recent City Council candidate, raised the issue of sidewalk maintenance, noting that shifting responsibility to private owners could become a form of “anti-homeless legislation” if not handled carefully.
SJPD described a pattern of individuals slipping “slowly but surely through the cracks,” even when services are offered.
Their offset is to offer services three times before any cleanup or enforcement action.
The meeting made clear that St. Joseph, like so many American cities, is searching for a path forward that balances compassion with practicality, dignity with public order.
Diana Latham put it plainly - helping people here, housing them here, respecting them here. Not moving them along. Not ticketing them away.
As Schumacher put it, the real opportunity lies in collaboration between the city, service providers, and the community itself.
Organizers hope that meetings like these can spark conversation and awareness about homeless individuals, and help get the care they need, and in the meantime help them face less scrutiny about situations out of their control.
