Councilman Johnson Calls For Emergency Shelters To Add More Beds
By Mike Dunn
Philadelphia (CBS)– A city councilman is calling for hearings into what he says is an insufficient number of emergency shelter beds for women who are victims of domestic violence.
Freshman councilman Kenyatta Johnson says the city has a limited number of emergency shelter beds set aside for victims of domestic violence, and he believes shelters as a result have been forced to turn women away.
Johnson says he grew concerned about the issue in his last job as State Representative and now as city councilman he wants hearings on the issue.
"So we can see the type of support systems that are there from the city, and also to look at how we can ramp up that support as we move forward. One organization that I'm looking at partnering with is Women Against Abuse. That's in my district, and so we're going to make sure they have the type of support they need."
Johnson represents the city's 2nd district encompassing a large portion of South Philadelphia. No date has yet been set for the council hearing.
