2026-09-25 · housing
Rochester City Council delays vote on plan to reopen Peace Village homeless encampment
Rochester City Council postponed its expected Tuesday vote on a plan to spend $1.15 million from the city's opioid compensation fund to reopen Peace Village, the city's only sanctioned homeless encampment, until a special meeting October 6. The legislation would authorize an agreement with City Roots Community Land Trust to operate 19 shelters on Industrial Street for adults 18 and older, with an on-site case management team, funded through the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Council members Mary Lupien, Stanley Martin and Kim Smith have proposed a "no barrier" model with no armed security and no personal information shared with police.
Rochester's homeless population has increased by 345 people over the last six years, a nearly 34% rise, according to this year's report from the city council president.