Homelessness, poverty & vagrancy along the Monroe Avenue Corridor

The Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition invited numerous non-profit organizations, the RPD and elected representatives to talk as a group on August 13, 2024.

Background

Homelessness, poverty and vagrancy have been present along and near the Monroe Avenue corridor for many years. Some say decades. These conditions are often associated with low level crime, panhandling, drug use, encampments and other undesirable circumstances and behaviors. Insufficient appropriate housing is a significant compounding factor but not the only factor. Mental heath is another factor that plays an important role. The issues are complicated and difficult to improve.

The 2024 "Point In Time" count (an annual grassroots headcount of the unhoused conducted across the country as well as in Rochester) revealed a notable uptick of unhoused individuals in our region. Resident and businesses have taken notice of the resulting impacts.

In the spring of 2024 the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition (MARC) identified these areas for attention for a number of reasons including concern for the wellbeing of individuals affected by these conditions and a sense that business and resident frustration around undesirable behaviors could result in unfortunate incidences of conflict. As you might expect, MARC's overall goal of revitalizing Monroe Avenue is baked into the reasoning.

To be clear, the City of Rochester along with the Rochester Police Department and a wide range of non-profit agencies have been working directly in the area over a long period of time and with some success. Under the circumstances, however, MARC felt the need to invite agencies, organizations and elected officials to a group discussion to see if greater communication and coordinated efforts could lead to more effective programs. This group met on August 13, 2024.