Woodfin says people without homes won’t be moved from public spaces for The World Games

 1607183624 
1656431183

The City of Birmingham Facebook Page

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said people who experience homelessness will not be displaced despite security barriers put in place for next week’s The Word Games.

“No one is putting homeless people out of public spaces. No one is forcing them out of public spaces. No one is telling our homeless neighbors they can’t be there. It’s simply not true.” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said Tuesday. “That’s not coming from the City Hall. That’s not coming from the administration. That’s not coming from The World Games Committee, that’s not coming from BPD (Birmingham Police Department).” 

However, that’s not what Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman said last month. She told WBHM that once the security parameters are in place, no one without tickets or credentials will be able to access the areas e reserved for The Games. 

World Games officials now clarified that  anyone will be able to walk through and access public areas around venues like Railroad Park, Linn Park, Protective Stadium and the new City Walk, despite those sites being behind security parameters. However, only people with credentials for their vehicles will be able to drive through. Tickets are required to get inside of a venue or attend a competition. 

This is the latest conflict around how Birmingham’s homeless population will be treated during The World Games. The Birmingham City Council and a group of community organizations announced in April there would be around 48 tiny home shelters built that people who experience homelessness could use for temporary shelter during the event. Recently, organizers said there won’t be any wooden sleeping shelters available. 

Woodfin explained that other options will be available for people without homes. There will be a cooling shelter near Parker High School open everyday during The World Games, offering sleeping cots, cool water and snacks. Other shelter locations including One Roof, The Salvation Army, Firehouse Shelter (men only), First Light (women only) will also be open to provide services. 

The Compassion Project or The Faith Chapel Care Center, which was to host the tiny shelters, will still be open and offer three meals a day, entertainment, recreation, and health services. 

The World Games will run July 7 through 17.

 

Man featured in ‘S-Town’ podcast shot and killed by police during standoff, authorities say

Joseph Tyler Goodson, 32, of Woodstock, was shot and killed by officers after he barricaded himself inside a home and “brandished a gun" at officers early Sunday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.

The next Republican debate is in Alabama, the state that gave the GOP a road map to Donald Trump

The state that propelled George Wallace, a Democrat and four-term governor, into national politics is now dominated by Republicans loyal to Donald Trump, another figure who leans heavily on grievance and white identity politics.

Alabama makes the College Football Playoff

Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama were selected Sunday and Florida State became the first unbeaten Power Five conference champion to be excluded from the field.

LGBTQ community finds a home in Birmingham’s punk scene

Plenty of people are familiar with the sound and look of punk. But not as many are familiar with the importance of compassion when it comes to being a punk. That's meant the punk scene has become a refuge for some LGTBQ individuals.

She owed $7K due to a water leak. Her utility saw the signs but didn’t tell her

Birmingham Water Works flagged Claire Ahalt’s account for unusually high water use, but she did not find out until asking a utility worker weeks later.

City OK’s $5 million to help keep Birmingham-Southern College open

BSC President Daniel Coleman said in a statement that next he’ll ask Jefferson County to meet the city’s commitment, focus on private donors and reengage with state leaders to work on getting more funding.

More Front Page Coverage