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

Councilman Ken Houston’s proposal to overtake how Oakland handles homeless encampments has stirred controversy, partially due to warnings that it may jeopardize town’s eligibility for state funding.

Nonetheless, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, or Cal ICH, has now mentioned in a letter that the coverage “meets the minimal necessities of state pointers.” The municipal council will most likely resume the coverage on the finish of February.

Cal ICH is a council with representatives from 19 state departments and is liable for overseeing the implementation of California’s homelessness insurance policies and laws.

Houston’s Encampment Reduction Policy would considerably change the best way Oakland addresses folks residing in tents and autos within the metropolis. Presently, metropolis guidelines say folks should be supplied shelter earlier than town clears an encampment. Houston’s proposal removes that requirement, though after a backlash, Houston and co-author Patricia Brooks, a staffer of Council President Kevin Jenkins, toned down the language in a second draft requiring town to “make each affordable effort” to offer shelter.

The coverage would additionally give town extra leeway to tow illegally parked autos the place folks dwell.

Houston, who represents deep East Oakland, has maintained that his insurance policies are a powerful however humane and essential response to a disaster that’s creating unsafe situations for Oakland residents. Whereas many individuals have praised the coverage, many extra have protested it at metropolis council conferences, criticizing council members for contemplating additional concentrating on town’s most weak residents. The town does not have practically sufficient shelter beds for the hundreds of individuals unhoused in Oakland.

A bumpy highway for Houston’s plan

Houston first proposed revisions to town’s homeless encampment guidelines in September. The coverage was mentioned at a council committee assembly that month. But it surely was tabled after some committee members — citing Cal ICH considerations and a vital letter from the county — mentioned important revisions have been wanted.

Cal ICH had instructed Oakland in August that state funding requires cities to determine shelters or different locations the place folks can sleep earlier than eradicating them, present advance discover and have clear insurance policies for storing belongings after a camp closes.

Houston revised its proposal and nonetheless didn’t require town to offer shelter earlier than clearing an encampment, however mentioned Oakland should “make all affordable efforts to take action.” In December, the brand new model of the proposal was placed on the agenda for a gathering of the total metropolis council. However the day earlier than, December 1, a consultant from Cal ICH had despatched Oakland one other letter saying there have been nonetheless issues with the coverage.

Marshall wrote that it was nonetheless unclear whether or not the coverage met the state threshold. She mentioned there have been considerations about how a lot of town is off-limits to tenting, leaving few locations for folks to sleep.

In response, Jenkins postponed council dialogue of the coverage, saying, “I believe it’s crucial that we as a metropolis proceed to fund.”

Cal ICH finally met with metropolis leaders to debate the coverage. Then, on December 24, Marshall despatched one other letter that ought to deal with a few of their considerations. However she additionally supplied recommendation that Oakland is “inspired, however not required, to think about.”

“Whereas the present draft EAP meets the minimal necessities of the state pointers, Cal ICH stays involved concerning the sensible implications of town’s proposed sensitivity map,” she wrote.

“We strongly encourage town to think about how people experiencing homelessness, particularly these with mobility points, disabilities or restricted entry to transportation, will probably be supported as they transfer from high-sensitivity areas to designated low-sensitivity zones,” Marshall continued. “The operational and safety implications of those transitions warrant considerate planning earlier than the coverage is finalized.”

The division of Oakland into “high-sensitivity” and “low-sensitivity” zones, the place clearing encampments could or might not be prioritized, is a holdover from town’s present coverage. However the map has stronger implications beneath Houston’s coverage, as a result of town wouldn’t be required to offer shelter earlier than closing.

Marshall additionally mentioned the enter Oakland officers have gotten so removed from the general public is an indication that they should do extra to work with their constituents and be clear about selections.

Talking to The Oaklandside on Thursday, Houston mentioned nothing modified in his proposal between the time of Cal ICH’s uncertainty in early December and the approval letter in late December. He mentioned the company’s swap brought on an pointless delay in coverage.

“That is disrespectful,” Houston mentioned. “My neighborhood will proceed to endure for 2 extra months.”

He additionally took difficulty with the wording that Oakland’s coverage meets the state’s “minimal” necessities: “It is both in compliance or it isn’t.”

As for the recommendation and considerations surrounding the delicate zones, Houston mentioned, “You possibly can have all of the considerations you need, I do not care. I do know the streets higher than them, I do know my neighborhood higher than them.”

Calling his colleagues “sensible,” Houston mentioned he had met with town supervisor and mayor concerning the proposal and would think about the opinions of different council members.

“I will hearken to what they should say, however I need not change something,” he mentioned, including that his proposal relies on a variety of work and his expertise with unlawful dumping and homelessness. “That is most likely some of the troublesome lifts town has seen in a long time. They actually know I am attempting to make a change.”