"Behind closed doors, Lee is planning a new course: The mayor and a top official want to remove fewer camps and improve sanitation around them, they said in an interview with this news organization - a recognition that people will continue to live beneath overpasses and on sidewalks in a city with diminishing resources to provide shelter. That's because two years of intense sweeps haven't moved homeless residents indoors, Hauswald said."
"The strategy she expects to unveil in March appears to be radically different from neighboring leaders - and with the Oakland City Council's own vision for homelessness. Its members are pushing legislation to accelerate encampment sweeps and eliminate a longstanding local requirement that the city offer shelter to residents when forcing them to move. The city leaders, led by Councilmember Ken Houston, have proposed striking that requirement and allowing city workers to more quickly tow RVs."
Barbara Lee cleared homeless camps faster than her predecessor since taking office in May 2025 but now plans a new approach to remove fewer camps and improve sanitation around encampments. Two years of intense sweeps have failed to move many homeless residents indoors, and budget cuts are forcing the closure of shelter sites this winter. Lee emphasizes respecting the humanity of people who fell into homelessness and expects to unveil a new strategy in March. The Oakland City Council, led by Ken Houston, seeks faster sweeps, removal of the shelter-offer requirement, and quicker towing of RVs.
Read at The Mercury News
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