Commissioners Disagree On Extending Night Shelter for the Homeless in Fargo

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A debate over the efforts to end homelessness gets a little heated at Fargo City Hall.

Commissioners disagreed about a sudden motion to extend the winter warming shelter by one month to continue to house around 50 people each night.

It is covered by a grant.

Two commissioners said the measure is just enabling those people while the mayor said if they aren’t sheltered overnight they’ll just be on the streets since they can’t camp anymore.

FM Coalition to End Homelessness gave an update saying they have 22 housing units identified but the goal is a total of 55 to 65 units and it’s going to take more time.

Commissioner John Strand said, “But if it takes another month to, to continue this program and not be putting people out into the street, we can give them a place to sleep at night that’s warm, why wouldn’t we?”

Commissioner Michelle Turnberg responded, “I don’t even like the word homeless anymore because that’s not the problem. It’s the drug use and it seems like Fargo, we are more prioritizing safe illegal drug use then we are getting rid of it and stopping it.”

And Commissioner Dave Piepkorn said, “Time’s up. We’ve had enough. Citizens have had enough. It’s time to restore law and order.”

Commissioners voted 3-2 to extend the sheltering center for one month.

Fargo’s ban on camping on public spaces will take effect on Thursday, May 1.