Public commenters called on the county to create a local shelter and increase support for outreach agencies, citing a reported 300% rise in homelessness and local groups' strain in providing emergency hotel rooms and services.

Public commenters and service providers told the council homelessness has surged locally and urged support for a proposed 80‑bed shelter; County Executive Rory noted the county receives far less federal funding per homeless person than the city of St. Louis and asked staff to clarify the disparity.