“I’ve been trying to get off the streets for six years Mr. Mayor. Do you know what that’s like?” asked a young man dressed in a green hoodie, with hair long enough to hide his face.

“I didn’t ask for this. No one asks to be homeless,” he continued, pointing out his 23rd birthday was days away.

He was not the only one who came out on Sept. 3 to address city council.

“Alex” spoke about how “people are hurting,” while “Quinn” held back tears, recalling her years of living on the streets.

Few wanted to give their names for official records, but they all have the same address: the homeless encampment under Fahy Bridge.

They came out to share their stories after allegeding they were told there would be a sweep of their encampment to allow for work on a pole by PPL.

With confusion reigning in the room about what exactly transpired at the homeless camp, Director of Community and Economic Development Laura Collins did her best to reassure those present there would be no imminent sweep.

“I believe PPL reached out. There’s one single pole that either needs to come down or needs to be worked on. It will happen sometime over the next six months,” said Collins.

Collins went on to explain those in the homeless camp were trying to be informative, and “it was not meant to be alarming.”

Police Chief Michelle Kott reinforced the fact there will be no sweep, meeting with some of the individuals privately to listen to their concerns.

Mayor William Reynolds reinforced the importance of addressing the housing issue in the city, ensuring the right information gets out.

He reminded attendees there are multimillion dollar affordable housing projects underway throughout the city, such as Gateway on 4th, but they will take time to complete.

“What can be done quickly is react with compassion, with care, with accountability, with access,” he said.

Both Reynolds and Council President Michael Colon made a point of inviting the individuals who came out to stay after the meeting to meet with officials.