Ken Houston's controversial encampment proposal wouldn't jeopardize state funds

"Councilmember Ken Houston's proposal to overhaul how Oakland handles homeless camps has generated controversy in part because of warnings that it might jeopardize the city's eligibility for state funding. However, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, or Cal ICH, has now said in a letter that the policy "meets minimum requirements of State guidance." The City Council will likely take the policy back up in late February."

"Houston's Encampment Abatement Policy would significantly alter how Oakland addresses people living in tents and vehicles in the city. Currently, city rules say people must be offered shelter before the city clears an encampment. Houston's proposal removes that requirement, although following pushback, Houston and co-author Patricia Brooks, a staffer for Council President Kevin Jenkins, toned down the language in a second draft, requiring the city to "make every reasonable effort" to provide shelter."

"Houston, who represents deep East Oakland, has maintained that his policy is a forceful but humane and necessary response to a crisis that creates unsafe conditions for Oakland residents. While many people have praised the policy, many more have protested it at City Council meetings, excoriating councilmembers for considering cracking down further on the city's most vulnerable residents. The city doesn't have nearly enough shelter beds for the thousands of people who are unhoused in Oakland."

Cal ICH, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness with representatives from 19 state departments, determined that the proposal meets minimum state guidance. The Encampment Abatement Policy would remove the current requirement that people be offered shelter before an encampment is cleared, later revised to require the city to "make every reasonable effort" to provide shelter. The policy would also expand authority to tow vehicles occupied by unhoused residents. The proposal has drawn praise from some and protests from many who say it further harms vulnerable residents. Oakland lacks nearly enough shelter beds for its thousands of unhoused people. The City Council will likely revisit the policy in late February.

Read at The Oaklandside