Being out of town and uninterested in firing up my laptop for this Nevada City Council meeting, I asked for a “citizen journalist” report about the proposed camping ordinance in the city, which I wrote about the other day. Here’s the response:
“The meeting went pretty well. Robert Bergman began by giving an informative legal background and context. Seven residents spoke about this issue — all opposed to the ordinance, all concerned about its impact on the homeless. (Joanna Robinson of Hospitality House and a young mother who worked at the KARE Crisis Nursery were particularly moving.) Bottom line: the Council members will pursue the Chief’s request for some sort of ordinance, but not as written; they want to be careful to balance different interests; and they all seemed to share our concerns. Next step will be a study session on the issue.”
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Great job Stephen and Marianna Greenberg and those who spoke against the ordinance, especially Joanna Robinson. All three are community treasures for keeping Nevada City friendly and inclusive. I was staffing a booth at the Summer Nights and by the time Joanna got back to relieve me the public comments were over.
Homelessness is a pit that folks fall into and they need a hand up to get out, not a handout, and there is no law that will make them disappear. More efforts need to go into hand ups that provide the support to escape homelessness, not just because these folks end up costing taxpayers an estimated $40,000 a year, but because these are fellow humans and neighbors in desperate need.
I floated the idea of CoLiving Transitional Village last winter to many homeless with very favorable reactions, and will continue. These are approved, clean and sober democratic camp communities that support movement toward permanent sustainable living. They are based on a proven model that is not yet widely known. There is only one way to end homelessness and that is to try new ideas that make the old ones obsolete..
Nice post Greg.
If I made it to the public comments I was going to talk about inclusiveness vs. exclusiveness and how it is a measuring tool of the strength of the community and the city council and its members are our representatives of the community. That strength can be measured at how we treat our neighbors whether they own the 5,000sq ft well manicured landscaped home, the person who camps out of sight, the couple who live in a camper, or the vast majority of people who live in a modest house or apartment. Do we consider all in our community as our neighbors or just some?
As a person who camped out for years while maintaining employment and was a perpetual volunteer, I am offended of the negative portrayal of those who don’t live in “homes” as being nonproductive members of the community. I worked nights much of the time and hung out in town during the day in the park with friends who did live in “homes”.
Right, Ben. We would do well to remember now the original “homeless” inhabitants of this continent who lived here for an estimated 30,000 years maintaining it in pristine condition. In a very very short time those people with homes have decimated their heritage. Perhaps we have it all wrong today.
I was horrified to hear a GV council member say during a countywide homeless forum 6 months ago that we can’t have any kind of transitional housing for homeless because it’s not fair to the neighbors. The neighbors would be exposed to people with mental conditions and disorders… as if people with roofs over their heads don’t have the same problems. This ignorance is shocking.
What people need to know is that homeless is all around us and it cannot be pushed away. Just step out into our surrounding forests and you step into a third world – we have hundreds of adults and children currently living in unsanitary and inhumane conditions.
Currently, by doing very little for the homeless, this is running us an average of $45,000 to $55,000 annually per homeless individual! These hidden costs come from fire, medical, social programs, police, courts costs, etc.
Successful programs around the country have shown we can provide a home and the support of a social worker for as little as $15,000 per person The right thing to do is to provide the basics for those who cannot provide for themselves. It’s a win-win for everyone.
As we both know, Reinette, this isn’t easy and we may have to climb a path of failures to achieve success but the cause is too important to give up on now without giving it our all.
I just experienced the exact situation the council member was referring to and it was traumatizing for the neighborhood. It wasn’t fair and I feel terrible but in the end it convinces me of the importance to succeed and I haven’t given up. I am also impressed with the patience and understanding that the neighbors demonstrated through the ordeal, and it was an ordeal.
Our community’s problems will only be resolved when we face them as a community and we will all be the better off for it.