Council reviews leases to transfer Huntington Homeless Services Hub operations to a nonprofit

Scott Damron, the city attorney, briefed the council on two companion resolutions at the March 9 work session that would transfer operational control and certain city-owned assets to the Huntington Homeless Services Hub, now organized as a freestanding nonprofit.

Damron described Resolution 2026-R-14 as a personal property lease covering cots, linens, kitchen equipment, an industrial washer and dryer, and related items currently located at the Hub. He said the lease would "establish a separation of operation from the city for the purpose of liability" and that the Hub "will maintain its own liability insurance." Damron added the Hub is in the process of obtaining that insurance.

Damron said Resolution 2026-R-15 is "exactly the same" as R-14 but applies to real property: three parcels (the parcel with the building, a second parcel behind it, and a third adjacent parcel the city acquired for potential future Hub use such as parking). Terms are five years with a potential renewal, at $1 per year; Damron said the Hub would assume operational responsibility from the city and Valley Health within a couple of months.

The transcript records Damron's presentation and an opportunity for questions; the record does not include a formal vote or final adoption during this session.