How to curb homelessness in Rochester

·51 min·4 clips

Rochester's homeless population is actually double the official count, with 2,500 youth self-reporting as homeless.

Evan Dawson hosts a discussion on homelessness in Rochester, featuring City Council President Miguel Melendez and local advocates. They explore a new report with recommendations like low-barrier shelters and Housing First, revealing undercounted data, systemic barriers, and personal stories from affected communities. The conversation highlights funding challenges, the opioid crisis impact, and the need for collaborative solutions across government levels.

As heard by us

Rochester's homelessness crisis is treated as a shared civic problem, with attention to shelter safety and the strain on local and regional leaders.

Rochester's homelessness crisis is framed as a civic problem, not a private failing. Evan Dawson starts with one man seeking help while saying shelter does not feel safe after violence and theft, then widens the question to who carries responsibility when local aid still leaves…

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Why you'd press play

When shelter feels unsafe, the policy debate gets personal.

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