Stockton, CA - At its meeting on Tuesday, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors took two actions that continue to address the challenge of homelessness in our community. The first item was an update to the county's camping ordinance, which prohibits sleeping or camping on public property. The second item addresses building code requirements for emergency housing.
“Our Board understands that a no camping ordinance is not a solution to the issue of homelessness in our County, but it is one piece of the puzzle,” commented Board Chairman Miguel Villapudua. “We have spent the last decade under the 9th Circuit Court's misguided ruling, which allowed for essentially no enforcement. If we look around our cities today, I believe we can agree that this is a failed policy. We are putting in place reasonable expectations for shared community spaces.”
Together with the other policies, initiatives, and proposals already in place, the Board's multi-prong, multi-agency effort is gaining forward momentum. As part of its SJCARES initiative, the San Joaquin County Probation Department proposes to construct an emergency housing facility soon on County owned or leased land for safe camping and safe parking. The building code amendments the Board advanced today will allow the proposal to move forward and allow the County to construct and permit the facility in accordance with the California Building Standards Code.
“I strongly believe that safe camping and safe parking locations are a central part of ending homelessness in San Joaquin County,” commented Vice Chair Paul Canepa. “Today's action moves us toward making that policy a reality. We are allowing for an emergency housing facility with a specific use in a narrow scope on county-owned land. This will allow us to pursue safe camping and parking locations that include wraparound services for a holistic approach in efforts to help the unsheltered population. Safe camping and safe parking are two options in the transition from being unsheltered to finding permanent housing.“
The proposed amendments to the no camping ordinance would specifically prohibit arranging bedding, erecting a tent or other form of shelter for the purpose of sleeping, or using a standing or parked vehicle for the purpose of sleeping longer than 60 minutes or within 300 feet of any previous stopping point in a 24-hour period. It will go into effect in 30 days. The amendments to the California Building Code and Residential Code will come back to the Board for a second reading and possible adoption at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors, on October 8, 2024.
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