TIFTON — With reports of a growing population of homeless in the city, Tifton City Council is beginning to look into methods of aiding and providing support.

At a council meeting earlier this month, Councilman M. Jay Hall said he has received reports of an increasing population of homeless people in Tifton and requested council consider potential methods of aiding them.

Hall expressed concern that Tifton should be too small to have a homeless population but is more worried about the status of homeless residents, asking that whatever options are considered, they be treated with decency and courtesy.

Mayor Julie Smith asked about forming a list of resources to help the homeless. City Attorney Rob Wilmot said the city could review the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website that has a large assortment of contact information for homeless people seeking assistance.

Wilmot also suggested the city compile a list of contact information of local nonprofit and homeless support organizations to consult. Smith asked that once a list has been created, it would be given to city police and fire departments, acknowledging they would likely be the first responders to reports involving homelessness.

Refraining from making a decision on the topic, Hall was instead asked to look further into the matter and form a comprehensive list of potential resources.