Rochester City Council President Releases Homelessness Report

Meléndez calls for emergency declaration and other measures to address growing crisis

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rochester City Council President Miguel Meléndez has released a report with eight key recommendations to tackle the city's homelessness crisis. The report, which incorporates input from 41 experts and 227 residents, calls for a joint emergency declaration on homelessness by the city and county, expanding the Peace Village 2.0 model, increasing low-barrier shelter options, protecting a housing-first continuum, and investing in neighborhood ambassador programs and youth-specific support.

Why it matters

Homelessness has been a growing concern in Rochester, with advocates pushing for an end to encampment sweeps and more permanent solutions. The report aims to provide a framework for coordinated efforts across government and community partners to address the crisis.

The details

The report's eight key recommendations include: declaring a joint emergency order on homelessness, supporting the expansion of the Peace Village 2.0 model, increasing low-barrier shelter options, protecting a housing-first continuum, investing in neighborhood ambassador programs and community opportunities for the unhoused, increasing investments in youth-specific shelter and support, continued consideration for public health and safety regarding street homelessness, and data-driven solutions with consistent coordination among partners.

  • The report was released on Monday, February 9, 2026.
  • Meléndez heard from 41 experts and 227 city residents in October 2025 before compiling the report.

The players

Miguel Meléndez

The Rochester City Council President who released the report on homelessness.

VOCAL-NY

A community organization that advocates for the unhoused and continues to push for a permanent end to encampment sweeps.

Lisle Coleman

The Western New York community organizer with VOCAL-NY who commented on the report.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As a city legislator, I recognize how easy it can be to assign blame or shift responsibility. Yet the reality is that the challenges we face surrounding homelessness are shared and the circumstances confronting our unhoused neighbors could affect any one of us.”

— Miguel Meléndez, Rochester City Council President (rochesterbeacon.com)

“We're seeing what I think is a momentum shift in how we treat our unhoused neighbors, especially with the (emergency) declaration of homelessness. While we really appreciate the attention towards low-barrier shelter and housing-first models, (the report) fails to deliver on our current task, which is to completely end the practice of encampment sweeps.”

— Lisle Coleman, Western New York community organizer with VOCAL-NY (rochesterbeacon.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This report represents a significant step forward in Rochester's efforts to address the homelessness crisis, with a focus on coordinated, data-driven solutions and a commitment to protecting the housing-first continuum. However, advocates continue to push for a permanent end to encampment sweeps, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and compassionate approach.