Advocates respond to Sacramento mayor’s plans for homeless housing

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Sacramento Mayor Daryl Steinberg would like to see Sacramento be the first in the country to be required to house or shelter the homeless. He said it shouldn’t be a choice. “We don’t say to our communities, ‘Well, provide public education for your children if you want to. “We’re asking for it,” Steinberg said. “We’re not saying ‘replace fossil fuels with renewable energy if you want to.'” We delegate it.” So, Steinberg said, homeless housing in the city should also be required. It would be the first in any city in the United States where the city has taken it upon itself to enact such a law. “Today I advocated for a legal right to shelter,” Steinberg said. and dwelling in Sacramento, and obligating the individual to accept it if offered.” If he is not accepted, there may be some form of punishment for that person, but the mayor said the action would not be criminal. Homeless advocates agree to change the law but not with a possible civil penalty for those who They refuse to help.” A civil lawsuit doesn’t make much sense for someone who is out of our community and doesn’t have any money. So what does it mean to take civil action against a homeless person?” asked Bob Erlenbusch of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness. While he hasn’t yet figured out what that punishment should be, the mayor said the treatment will likely be something educational or along the lines of therapy. In April, a federal judge ordered the City of Los Angeles to provide some form of shelter or housing for all homeless residents in slip row by October. Steinberg said Sacramento should not wait for the judge to intervene in the court order. 13,000 people have been off the streets for the past four years, but I think changing the law is an essential part of doing better.” As for civil sanction, Erlenbusch suggests including another opinion before ending this ordinance: Asking those who are homeless what they think and what they want, the mayor said he expects the city ordinance to be finalized within the next two months.

Sacramento, California –

Sacramento Mayor Daryl Steinberg would like to see Sacramento be the first in the country to be required to house or shelter the homeless. He said it shouldn’t be a choice.

“We don’t say to our communities, ‘Well, provide public education for your children if you want to. “We’re asking for it,” Steinberg said. “We’re not saying ‘replace fossil fuels with renewable energy if you want to.'” We delegate it.”

So, Steinberg said, housing for the city’s homeless should also be required. It would be the first of its kind in any city in the US that the city has taken it upon itself to enact such a law.

“Today I advocated a legal right to shelter and housing in Sacramento, and an obligation to accept it if offered,” Steinberg said.

If he is not accepted, there may be some kind of punishment for that person, but the mayor said this action would not be criminal. Homeless advocates agree to change the law but not with a possible civil penalty for those who refuse to help.

“A civil lawsuit doesn’t make much sense for someone who is out of our community and doesn’t have any money. So what does civil action mean against a homeless person?” asked Bob Erlenbusch of the Sacramento Regional Alliance to End Homelessness.

While he has yet to figure out what that punishment should be, the mayor said the treatment will likely be something educational or along the lines of therapy.

In April, a federal judge ordered the city of Los Angeles to provide some form of shelter or housing for all homeless residents in slip row by October. Steinberg said Sacramento should not wait for the judge to intervene in the court order.

“We’ve taken 13,000 people off the streets over the past four years, but I think changing the law is an essential part of doing better,” Steinberg said. We need to bring a well-written order to Sacramento City Council. I will work with my colleagues, with the community, with stakeholders and we will write this law and present it to the city council.”

As for civil punishment, Erlenbusch suggests including another opinion before ending this decree: asking those who experience homelessness what they think and what they want.

The mayor said he expects to complete the city ordinance within the next two months.

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