"Lee is exploring paying homeless people to pick up litter, inspired by a program in Portland, Oregon. That's because two years of intense sweeps haven't moved homeless residents indoors, Hauswald said. Budget cuts are forcing the closure of shelter sites this winter. And Lee, a former Democratic member of Congress, said she wants to respect the humanity of people who fell into homelessness."
"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 after taking office in May 2025 but now plans to remove fewer camps and improve sanitation around encampments. The city will prioritize minimizing trash and human waste, explore paying unhoused people to pick up litter inspired by a Portland program, and avoid hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs. Two years of intense sweeps failed to move many residents indoors. Budget cuts are forcing closure of shelter sites this winter. The City Council majority seeks faster sweeps, to eliminate the requirement to offer shelter before removals, and to tow RVs more quickly.
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