The Downtown Business Association is reporting the findings from our Birmingham Homeless Awareness Campaign, gathered from July 10 through November 30, 2006. The questionnaire was available at our website, DBA member businesses and DBA functions held during the specified period. We received one hundred seventy-four (174) responses. Although many contacts refused to answer because they did not want to have their name recorded, numerous respondents were not City Center business owners, even though the campaign was initiated by the DBA.
If participants agreed with the statement, they were asked to give their name and to determine a category, that best described their demographic area. Many respondents were eligible in more than one category, but the first answer was the only reply used, for the purpose of the survey. The entire statement, along with the results¹ follows:
The presence and negative behavior of many “street homeless” affects the viability of our businesses, our quality of life, and our city’s image. We understand many suffer from mental illness, addictions, and health problems and strongly encourage the City to use every available resource and strategy to address this problem with housing, services, and education, and with measures to restrict behaviors detrimental to our downtown neighborhood. We respectfully ask specifically for an immediate resumption of deliberations on a Doorways Ordinance, Urban Camping Ordinance and the issue of Public Feedings. We believe that fair laws and consistent enforcement, coupled with adequate opportunities and resources are appropriate responses for the community.
21% Downtown Residents
30% Metropolitan Birmingham Residents
10% Alabama State Residents
2% Out-of-State Residents & Visitors
9% Downtown Business Owners
25% Downtown Business Professionals
0% Alabama State Professionals
3% Out-of-State Business Visitors
The results of this campaign suggests that a significant number of people, primarily metropolitan residents, as well as the people who work downtown, are concerned by homelessness and feel that our city officials should move forward to address this matter in a compassionate and effective manner.
¹ Survey results signify our independent survey, and are not representative of a formal sampling. DBA, its officers, board members, and membership shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described or information contained on these pages. The data, information and related graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such.
