Bay Area homelessness

Gov. Newsom's proposal “falls short of articulating a clear strategy for curbing homelessness in California" by shifting decision-making authority away from local governments that have historically handled the bulk of homeless services in the state, the LAO wrote in a report

A new homeless camp is attracting attention in Santa Rosa, only a few miles from the one that was forcibly cleared just a week ago. 

The city says the goal is to keep people from parking there, especially the homeless. 

City officials say there have been too many concerns about property damage, traffic, safety and trash.

The city of Oakland opened a safe parking site for 41 RVs in the city's Fruitvale district on Monday.

City leaders say the program, called "Keep Oakland Housed" has worked better than anticipated and is now looking to expand.

Whether by accident or anger, homeless camp moving day started with a tent fire, a tent that was not occupied. When day came, many had already left, setting out for parts unknown, but likely to be far more secluded as in a creek bed or the woods.

Oakland officials said support for the homeless camp residents is the latest of many partnerships to meet the immediate needs of unsheltered people as well as tackling the root causes of homelessness.

The task force  will work on serving homeless people in the county and helping them transition into temporary and permanent supportive housing with increased funding for mental health services, increased shelter beds and more publicly available storage and hygiene services for unhoused people.

A new tuff shed community is going up at Caltrans property at Sixth and Oak streets in Oakland. The $200,000 was fully funded by private citizens.

At a Monday news conference, President, elected leaders, and student and faculty representatives, announcing a multi-phased, multi-year approach to provide needed housing and services.

Even before the deadline of Jan 29, some campers have qualified for one option: tiny shelters.

On certain street corners just outside downtown San Rafael people say panhandling has become a problem. "I think it is shameful they are allowed to come here and do that," said resident Bruce Sarafraz.

HUD calculates that California's homeless population increased 16% last year, to about 151,000 people, or more than a quarter of the national total.

A man says he was attacked near a homeless encampment in Oakland.

The proposal asks the city manager to consider amenities in the outdoor shelter such as climate-controlled, wind-resistant durable tents with wooden pallets for support, portable toilets and handwashing stations, shower and sanitation services, garbage pickup and needle disposal and an agency to manage the program, which would be open 24 hours a day.