(Editor's note: This is just one part of a series of stories about local candidates in the upcoming June 2 primary, municipal and school board election. Find more coverage here.)
Simplified: Sioux Falls Simplified surveyed readers before talking to all of the local political hopefuls, and one of the topics that came up most was the city's approach to homelessness and supporting Sioux Falls' unhoused population. Here's what Southeast District City Council candidates had to say on that topic.
Here's what we asked:
What is your philosophy when it comes to addressing homelessness in our community? And what, if anything, would you do differently than the current administration?
And here's what candidates (listed in alphabetical order) had to say:
Michael Crane
Crane said that the city should always be at the table when discussing homelessness because it's a "major player" in addressing the issue.
"I think that there are no easy solutions," Crane said. "That's what makes it a tough issue. I think we have to work together and try things. If they don't work, we keep going, but we have to remain concerned."
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Brady Kerkman
Kerkman said one of the first things he did in his campaign was to meet with Sioux Falls Housing, and, given his background in nonprofit work, he wants to continue working with nonprofits to see what types of grants could help folks who are unhoused.
"First and foremost, an individual that's homeless, they've got to want to be able to help themselves," he said. "We can provide all the resources, all the counseling, all the treatment in the world, but if they don't want that, then we really can't address that."
Sara Pankonin
Pankonin said she's encountered people who are unhoused during her time volunteering at The Banquet and speaking at the Union Gospel Mission – experiences she described as "warm and welcoming." She also said it'll take "teamwork" to address and said she wants to keep supporting the police department.
"When you hear the word, 'homeless' and you really feel comfortable in your home, love your home and feel welcomed by everybody you live with, then homeless sounds like a really hard word," she said. "But if you had dealt with some of the things that other people deal with where home isn't that, then, 'homeless' might not sound like such an awful word to some people."
See all Simplified election coverage here:
