Smith: San Diego leads in CA homelessness programs

 
 

According to Irene Smith of SJ's Independent Leadership Group, the City of San Diego has moved more quickly and effectively than other CA cities in addressing homelessness--most notably by implementing a citywide No Camping ordinance in 2023--even before the SCOTUS Grants Pass decision. While the City of San Jose recently began studying SD's safe sleeping sites program and is considering implementing something similar sometime in the future, Smith says SD is pioneering effective and compassionate homelessness programs.

The SD no-camping ordinance was designed to protect all people and environmentally sensitive areas.

The ordinance made it unlawful to camp or maintain encampment upon any public property in SD. Enforcement is a misdemeanor citation and will not be given if there are no appropriate shelter beds available.

However, it is unlawful to camp regardless of available shelter beds if:

  • There is unreasonable risk of harm to persons.

  • There is unreasonable risk of harm to public health.

  • There is disruption to vital government services.

  • Located within two blocks of a school.

  • Located within two blocks of a shelter.

  • Located on open space, waterway, or waterway banks.

  • Located within transit hubs.

  • Located at any park with substantial risk to health or safety.

Abatements of encampments will involve property removal under the following stipulations: :

  • Removal of property must occur within 24 hours of notice of abatement.

  • Personal items may be stored but must be storable from a weight and size.

Here are the three big takeaways for cities in Santa Clara County:

  • If the safety or health of people is at risk, no-camping can be and should be enforced enforced.

  • No-camping zones can and should be designated, such as near schools and environmentally sensitive areas.

  • Jail is not the place for the street-unhoused, but neither is the sidewalk.

{This article is an updated version of a 2023 Opp Now exclusive.}

Read more of Smith’s analysis on Martin v Boisie here.

Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity

Jax Oliver