The homelessness crisis has been a problem nationwide, not only in the mainland but also in Hawaii, and is becoming a perennial problem that needs to be addressed seriously.
States have launched their programs, and somehow, the problem is still a concern for all to consider. Some say they are gaining headway, and others observe that their moves are on a standstill, needing practical and pragmatic solutions to move them.
In California, lawmakers are very much concerned with the problem, so two of the state senators thought of filing their own version of their bills to address the major problem besetting the state today.
State Senator Catherine Blakespear’s bill (SB 16) proposes that:
“When cities do the right thing and build new shelter and interim housing to address our homelessness crisis, the counties in which they are located should step up and contribute. If passed, it would require that counties with populations over 200,000 fund 50% of their cities’ homeless shelter operating costs. This seems only fair given that counties have both the legal jurisdiction and funding for health and human services for our most vulnerable residents, and much larger budgets than cities.”
Apparently, what Senator Blakespear is saying is that residents have the responsibility to contribute in addressing the problem and working for a solution. They need to do their part and make sure they make their surroundings clean and safe.
On the other hand, Senator Josh Becker’s bill (SB 606) “would require that when local jurisdictions apply to the state for funds for homelessness programs that they present a real, data-driven plan for getting everyone off of their streets. When cities and counties are required to do the math, and grapple with the true scale of the crisis as well as the true cost of many solutions, they will be more accountable for prioritizing fast and scalable solutions over ideologically convenient ones.”
Being confronted with the homelessness issue here in San Jose, Mayor Matt Mahan went up to Sacramento and stood beside California State Senators Catherine Blakespear and Josh Becker to support their bills – SB 16 and SB 606, respectively – that would help ensure every jurisdiction does its part to end the state’s era of encampments.
Mayor Mahan’s team has been proud to work with these two Senators to promote common sense in Sacramento in addressing the problem.
He stated: “This year, the city is opening an additional 1,000 safe, dignified shelter and interim housing placements to help people move out of encampments, but we’ve just about reached our limits fiscally. While we feel an immense urgency to offer alternatives to the streets and disband encampments, we cannot go it alone if we want to build out a shelter and interim housing system that can end the era of encampments. We need neighboring cities to also invest in pragmatic solutions for getting everyone indoors, and we need our County to prioritize funding for the services homeless residents need to turn their lives around.”
Cities must say yes to new housing, especially where it makes sense near transit and other infrastructure.
The State must commit to not only holding each and every city and county accountable for doing their fair share, but it must commit ongoing funding for the solutions that show measurable results.
And when shelter, treatment, and other services are available, we must hold our homeless neighbors accountable for coming indoors and accepting help.
By working together and holding everyone accountable for doing their part, we can end this crisis.
These are measures that will surely add to the steps already taken by local leaders in addressing their own problem of homelessness in their respective areas.
If the residents can cooperate and work with the legislators and with local leaders, I hope we will be able to address the issue very well and even really end the homelessness crisis.
But it needs everyone to jump in and do their part. It should be an “All For One, And One For All!” program with the residents and recipients joining the administrators and lawmakers in solving the problem!
Let’s hop in and join the movement to end encampments, homelessness once and for all!
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKOwas a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the Chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream, which is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Xlibris Publishing. For feedback, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.
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