Church urges city response after homeless deaths

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Homeless advocates are urging Birmingham officials to renew efforts to end chronic homelessness after two homeless people died on recent cold nights downtown.

Officials with the Church of the Reconcilor are leading the push. The church has planned a memorial service Thursday for 51-year-old Lisa Coburn, who died in a tent Jan. 19 at a homeless camp, and for Jimmy “Pops” Smith, who was in his seventies, who died in his van on Feb. 6.
 
The two died on cold nights, but a Jefferson County Coroner’s official says the cause of death is unclear.

Assistant Pastor Rachael Martin says the church is asking the mayor to renew a plan developed three years ago to end chronic homelessness, and to create more temporary shelters.