Sacramento could soon be clearing homeless camps set up near levees and public facilities. The Sacramento City Council is set to vote this coming Tuesday on a ordinance that would ban people from camping within 25 feet of riverfront levees, hospitals, bridges, fire and police stations, and several downtown streets.
Council members say the law is an effort to protect critical infrastructure and prevent wildfires and catastrophic floods, but homeless advocates are condemning the ordinance. They argue the city should focus on creating more shelters and housing.
In December of last year the City Council approved spending over $22 million from private and state sources on 500 shelter beds in a variety of facilities including semi-permanent tents, and existing buildings like motels and apartment complexes. His Homeless and Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force includes Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.