Bakersfield joins the ranks of CA cities ramping up homeless amelioration

Image by 23ABC Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Californian discusses how the city has moved 600 people off their streets since 2020. This city's approach pairs removing the unsafe encampments and quickly building affordable housing.

Late last month, Newsom issued an executive order to state agencies ordering them to begin clearing homeless encampments off of state lands.

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh was quoted in a news release from the Newsom administration following the order.

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"The city of Bakersfield supports Gov. Newsom’s urgency to clear unsafe encampments in our city and across the state. We have ordinances, services and enforcement teams in place," Goh said. "Bakersfield looks forward to working with state and local partners to encourage policies that will clear encampments with compassion and urgency."

In a statement following Newsom's executive order, the city said it had moved 600 people off the streets since the 2020 opening of the Brundage Lane Navigation Center, and in June, the Bakersfield City Council unanimously approved $600,000 to add 50 beds to the facility. 

Officials also pointed to legislative changes that may make it easier to compel people into treatment programs for substance abuse or mental health. 

Read the whole article here.

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Related:

• NYT: SF Mayor Breed's new aggressive homelessness approach reveals encampment crimes, refusal to accept shelter offers

• Fresno County's ideas to address homeless encampments more aggressively, post-Grant's Pass, spark debate

• L.A./Austin case study: Clearing street encampments reduces violent crimes, homeless deaths

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