Lewiston leaders prioritize affordable housing in fight against homelessness [Video]

In September, the Lewiston City Council approved a permanent, low-barrier shelter to be run by Kaydenz Kitchen. Weeks later, the council amended ordinances to allow New Beginnings to operate a temporary youth shelter for people 18 to 24 years old. These developments come two years after the City Council passed a moratorium on low-barrier shelters. An ad-hoc shelter committee was then formed to address homelessness in the city.”For the people that argue that the more assistance you give to these people the more you’re going to attract, the response to that is, well, they’re going somewhere. They have to be dealt with somehow,” said Councilor David Chittim, one of several city leaders elected to the council in 2023.Only one councilor who was in office when the moratorium was passed in 2022 remains on the council today. The new crop of city leaders is recognizing the needs identified by the shelter …