ESCANABA - As the direct result of community concerns, a task force was appointed by the Escanaba City Council Thursday to address issues of homelessness in Escanaba and other area communities.
The 20-member committee was identified during the regular meeting of council which unanimously approved the creation of the task force and its focus of direction.
The group's initial tasks will be to understand homelessness in the city and other communities in the county, identify needs and gaps in services, and develop strategies to end homelessness.
After the holidays, an organizational meeting will be scheduled when the group's scope of work will be reviewed and tasks will be assigned, explained City Manager Jim O'Toole. A meeting schedule will also be established, he said.
O'Toole, a member of the task force, described the task force as a diversified group of people from throughout the community.
Escanaba Mayor Pro Tem Brady Nelson volunteered to serve on the task force as council liaison.
Members of the task force who have been instrumental in spearheading the effort include: Nisha Coolman, coordinator for the Delta County Coalition Against Home