Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Oakland Approves New Homeless Encampments in Contentious Decision
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
October 21, 2020

Share

OAKLAND — Officials in Oakland approved a contentious new policy that will allow encampments, but prohibit homeless people from setting up tents in parks or near homes, businesses, schools and some churches in the city that has seen a recent spike in the homeless population.

The Oakland City Council unanimously approved the measure Tuesday after more than 100 community members spoke mostly against the rules that also allow homeless encampments in certain areas of the city as long as they follow safety and sanitation rules.

Mayor Libby Schaaf said the policy, which will start being enforced in January, establishes Oakland’s first citywide rules on homeless encampments. She called it “a compassionate response to an unacceptable condition.”

“I’m grateful to the City Council who voted unanimously for a new encampment policy that will help us improve the well-being of all our residents, housed and unhoused,” she said in a statement. “Ending homelessness is a moral imperative.”

The Homeless Population Has Jumped by 63% Since 2017 in Oakland

The homeless population has jumped by 63% since 2017 in Oakland, where there are at least 140 encampments of tents and RVs, according to the city.

“The problem has outgrown the City’s current policy environment,” Joe DeVries, director of Interdepartmental Operations, said in a report.

Under the new rules, homeless people won’t be allowed to set up camp within 50 feet of “high-sensitivity” areas, including homes, businesses, playgrounds, public parks, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and places of worship. Tents will have to be 150 feet away from a middle school, preschool or child care center and 100 feet away from high schools.

They will be allowed to set up tents in “low-sensitivity” areas. But they will be limited to one side of the streets and can’t block sidewalks or bike lanes.

Homeless rights advocates criticized the measure, saying the rules will push the homeless population away from the city and into desolate industrial areas near the Oakland Airport and the Oakland Port.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

DON'T MISS

Israel Strikes Without Warning in Beirut, Kills at Least 15 as Cease-Fire Sought

DON'T MISS

Trump Taps Rollins as Ag Chief in Final Cabinet Pick

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

DON'T MISS

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

DON'T MISS

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

DON'T MISS

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

DON'T MISS

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

DON'T MISS

Nations at UN Climate Talks Agree on $300B a Year for Poor Countries in a Compromise Deal

DON'T MISS

What to Know About Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary

UP NEXT

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

UP NEXT

Tulare County Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Middle School Girls, Staff

UP NEXT

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

UP NEXT

Northern California Gets Record Rain and Heavy Snow. Many Have Been in the Dark for Days in Seattle

UP NEXT

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

UP NEXT

What Will Happen to CNBC and MSNBC When They No Longer Have a Corporate Connection to NBC News?

UP NEXT

Major Storm Drops Record Rain, Downs Trees in Northern California After Devastation Further North

UP NEXT

Newsom Heads to Fresno, a County That Voted for Trump

UP NEXT

Conservative Professors and Students Are Beating CA Community Colleges in Court

UP NEXT

Thousands of University of California Workers Go on 2-Day Strike Over Wages, Staff Shortages

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

7 hours ago

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

10 hours ago

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

10 hours ago

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

12 hours ago

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

12 hours ago

Nations at UN Climate Talks Agree on $300B a Year for Poor Countries in a Compromise Deal

24 hours ago

What to Know About Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary

1 day ago

What to Know About Scott Turner, Trump’s Pick for Housing Secretary

1 day ago

Trump Taps Investor Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary

1 day ago

NATO Head and Trump Meet in Florida for Talks on Global Security

1 day ago

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

LONG BEACH — Amar Augillard led Fresno State with 25 points and David Douglas Jr. made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 42 seconds left as the Bull...

7 hours ago

7 hours ago

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

7 hours ago

Israel Strikes Without Warning in Beirut, Kills at Least 15 as Cease-Fire Sought

7 hours ago

Trump Taps Rollins as Ag Chief in Final Cabinet Pick

7 hours ago

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

10 hours ago

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

10 hours ago

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

12 hours ago

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

12 hours ago

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend