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The City of Wheeling announced Tuesday that Rabbi Joshua Lief of Temple Shalom in Wheeling will chair the city’s newly created homelessness task force.
Lief will lead an executive committee made up of faith-based leaders representing Wheeling’s diverse religious community. According to a city release, under Lief’s leadership, the task force will work collaboratively to develop practical, compassionate and accountable solutions that address homelessness while strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses and improving the quality of life throughout the community.
The task force will include representatives from a wide cross-section of the community, including social service providers, public safety professionals, mental health and addiction specialists, health care providers, city officials, business representatives, neighborhood residents and individuals with lived experience who have previously experienced homelessness.
When establishing the Task Force, Magruder charged its members with a clear mission: to develop and implement coordinated, compassionate and accountable strategies that reduce homelessness, restore confidence in public spaces, support local businesses and connect vulnerable individuals with pathways toward treatment, housing and long-term stability.
“The challenges surrounding homelessness cannot be solved by any one organization or individual,” Magruder said. “This task force recognizes that lasting progress requires collaboration, compassion, accountability and a willingness to bring every voice to the table. While we understand that we cannot eliminate homelessness entirely, we believe we can make meaningful, positive differences in the lives of individuals while strengthening our community as a whole.”
The task force will begin meeting in the coming weeks to establish priorities, identify opportunities for improved coordination among existing agencies and organizations, and develop recommendations designed to enhance services, improve public spaces, support local businesses and create pathways toward housing stability.