Their. We're not homeless. The homelessness crisis also has taken a toll on Oakland's public parks, according to the audit. Ramona Choyce recounts the moment when an April fire killed one person at a homeless encampment on Wood Street in Oakland, Calif. on Monday, May 3, 2022. December 24, 2022, 9:57 AM SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge has temporarily banned San Francisco from clearing homeless encampments, saying the city violated its own policies by failing to offer other shelter. OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Workers remove numerous items from the Wood Street homeless encampment on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. Caltrans is overseeing the cleanup of its property along Wood Street. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Caltrans has completed much smaller sweeps in the past. Lydia Blumberg, whos lived at Wood Street for at least five years, called the decision beyond disappointing., Everyone wants to wash their hands of us, she said after the hearing. The city of Oakland agreed to assist residents on identifying their options. #2. portland oregon created those "affordable housing" by tearing down most of the old hotels or remodeling them. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani. Caltrans announced it is closing the entire Wood Street . The Oakland City Council voted Monday to open a co-governed homeless encampment to provide shelter for 40 people in West Oakland making it potentially the second site that residents and. What could reparations mean for Black residents of Alameda County? In the six weeks following the TRO, the city advanced the RV park and cabin community projects to a point where it represented to the judge that it would be able to "hold" enough spots to accommodate all the 1707 Wood Street residents who wanted to be sheltered. Multiple. Housing | Oakland which has more than 5,000 homeless people currently has 598 year-round, city-funded shelter beds, 313 community cabin and temporary structure shelter spaces, 147 RV safe parking spaces and 353 city-funded transitional-shelter beds. Since the restraining order was issued, another 12 fires have broken out on the site, Orrick said at the hearing. But Orrick said requiring Caltrans to provide those resources was beyond the scope of the law. We cant just let people to continue to die on the sidewalks while we try to figure out what permanent solutions can be, Fife said. I really love this life here.. Homeless advocates said residents were offered alternative shelter spaces. While the city was working to open a safe parking area for RVs that would accommodate 29 vehicles and a "cabin community" with 31 beds, neither site was yet ready for occupancy. Over the past seven years, Oaklands Wood Street encampment has exploded in size. Oakland has responded to the crisis level surge in homelessness with emergency measures like community cabins. Housing | This chart is updated at the end of each month. Caltrans has cleared the parts of the encampment on its property three times in the past year and says it will continue to do so if safety concerns, such as fires, continue. Its uncertain if Caltrans has the authority to clear land it doesnt own. This is our home.. If you or someone you know is hungry, homeless, or housing insecure - Call 2-1-1. OAKLAND -- About 80 unhoused residents and their property were being cleared from Caltrans property along Wood Street in Oakland on Thursday following a federal judge's ruling that the state. Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Workers remove a couch from the Wood Street homeless encampment on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. Caltrans is overseeing the cleanup of its property along Wood Street. Caltrans spokesperson Rocquel Johnson said the agency plans to eventually completely close the parts of the encampment that are under freeway overpasses and work to relocate people to safer conditions.. At issue is a large encampment on a city-owned piece of vacant land off Wood Street in West Oakland. OAKLAND Nearly a month after a federal court barred Oakland from clearing one of its most prominent homeless encampments, the judge in the case has determined the city has enough shelter beds for the displaced residents and can proceed with the removal. The new report, completed by City Auditor Courtney Ruby, found that the EMT was "overwhelmed by the undertaking of closing and cleaning encampments throughout Oakland." Ruby found that Oakland spent $12.6 million on tasks related to encampments over the past two years, and roughly $1,500 an hour on camp closures and cleanings. Oakland is experiencing a network outage that is affecting key services such as Oak311, permitting and business tax. . Audit: Oaklands $12.6 million homelessness, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, Audit: Oaklands $12.6 million homelessness response lacked strategy, direction, Housing proposal for unhoused leaves Santa Clara residents sharply divided, Forcing Californians into mental health treatment would get easier with proposed legislation, Grappling with homelessness, California weighs extending foster care for 5 years, After nearly two-month delay, judge allows Oakland to remove large homeless camp. Mayor Libby Schaaf, city administrator Ed Reiskin, police Chief LeRonne Armstrong and Daniel Cooper, the citys newly appointed homelessness administrator, were at Wood Street on Wednesday. But the lots homeless residents, who have developed a tight-knit community they call the Commons, argue theyll suffer when that community is broken up and theyre forced to scatter to other locations including to shelter programs that might not meet their physical and mental health needs. Velena Jones reports. Weve created a system of effective strategies that address homelessness at every step in the cycle. A. City and state leaders say a deadly fire that occurred in April at the site, killing one and displacing five, makes action there all the more urgent. But a solution might be on the horizon. 1,000 people on a section of the former Oakland Army Base. In May, city officials told The Chronicle that they dont have enough shelter beds to offer to everyone at Wood Street. When could it return? Housing | Newsom paid a surprise visit to the encampment in April to show the inhumane living conditions too many Californians face.. Neighbors tell Da Lin the looming closure is long overdue. City staff were there to clear out residents from the northern part of the encampment, near the city-sanctioned RV safe parking site. Saratoga adopts review process to bypass costly fire restrictions, Raul Lozano helped communities grow in San Jose, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Dear Abby: I was always in the back seat, one way or another, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The shelters are full. Clutch, a 40-year-old Wood Street encampment resident who said he has no last name, was one of the five people moved last month. Because the city had not budgeted for those expenses, staff had to divert resources away from other essential services including responding to illegal dumping, conducting fire inspections and maintaining traffic signals and street lights. Tuesday at 3:07 PM. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Community members move a motorcycle to a trailer at the Wood Street homeless encampment on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. Caltrans is overseeing the cleanup of its property along Wood Street. A burned-out van amid charred rubble of where Ramon Choyce once lived at a homeless encampment on Wood Street in Oakland. As of last week, the city has offered shelter beds to about 70 people at the Wood Street encampment, according to the court filing. The Encampment Management Team tracks all known encampments and prioritizes interventions based on health, safety, and size issues. In May, city officials put the total number of residents in the encampment at 300 people. In a lawsuit filed this week, grassroots group Neighbors. A hand-painted sign can be seen at a homeless encampment on Wood Street in Oakland. Related Articles After nearly two-month delay, judge allows Oakland to remove large homeless camp Skinny lives at 37MLK, the homeless encampment in Oakland, California, that was created by community organizers taking over a vacant lot. The encampment is one of the largest in the city and has been plagued with problems such as illegal dumping and fires for years. Recommendations from the Commission on how to prioritize the allocation of funds in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter, including for: services and programs for homeless people, reduction of homelessness, and supporting the provision of affordable housing to households qualifying as at least low-income households (those at 55% AMI or below). ", previously halted Caltrans plans to clear the camp. Caltrans plans to clear out 200 homeless people from the sprawling homeless encampment at Oaklands Wood Street by the first week of August, officials said. July 11, 2022 / 6:27 PM / CBS San Francisco. Oakland firefighters responded to 90% of the 988 encampment calls they received in less than eight minutes. Residents say the camp is a place where they can live how they want after losing stable homes because of evictions or job losses. The city has demonstrated it now has enough shelter beds for everyone who will be displaced by the camps closure, U.S. District Judge William Orrick ruled. Antioch council to discuss new liquor stores ban, homeless housing. Earlier this month, another federal judge allowed that work to continue. The city says it needs to clear the camp to make way for a 170-unit affordable housing project planned for the site. Oakland shut down a portion of its largest homeless encampment, starting the daunting work of clearing a massive, sprawling camp that has been plagued by fires as the city prepares to. Copyright 2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. California snowpack hits highest level this century for March, could I-80 closed across Donner Summit as snowstorm pummels Sierra, San Francisco citizens once traveled by gondola. Photos: State clears Wood Street homeless camp,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, Photos: State clears Wood Street homeless camp, Oaklands largest, Housing proposal for unhoused leaves Santa Clara residents sharply divided, Forcing Californians into mental health treatment would get easier with proposed legislation, Grappling with homelessness, California weighs extending foster care for 5 years, After nearly two-month delay, judge allows Oakland to remove large homeless camp. The encampment is now so huge that some residents drive buses and motorcycles to get from one end to the other. She has provided coverage on wildfires, mass shootings, the fatal shooting of police officers and massive floods in the North Bay. Local News | The man was bleeding and was very confused asking police what he had done wrong. That injunction was dissolved in phases, beginning in August of 2022, giving residents more time to find other alternatives. The choice: Leave, or hunker down. The money would fund a new community cabin site or tiny home village at Wood Street for about 50 people. Check out the latest season about Muslim converts and past seasons of stories of struggle and never giving up hope. Walters: Is ending Californias homelessness just a matter of money? Officials have argued that they dont have enough shelter beds to accommodate the number of people living at the encampment, which spans 25 city blocks. In these situations, the Encampment Response Map will include information about the code violation case instead of details about an encampment cleanup effort. Official Website for the City of Oakland | Mayor Sheng Thao. Wood Street residents deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, Husbands-Hankin said. Official Website for the City of Oakland | Mayor Sheng Thao. A. Sep 2022 Q. The city's lawyers had no comment on the ruling. Its absurd to think that we've gotten this far through this process and we have not had anybody take a survey of who is actually affected by this, McGowan said at the hearing. On Tuesday, homeless people in Echo Park were faced with a decision as an imminent city closure drew near. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Community members watch as workers clear a section of the Wood Street homeless encampment near an area known as Cob on Wood on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. Caltrans is overseeing the cleanup of its property along Wood Street. Alameda Hot Spot Makes Best Sandwich List, Health Emergency Ends, COVID Vigilance Does Not, American Tulip Day & Free, U-Pick-Tulips 2023: Union Square, San Francisco, St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: LepraCon San Francisco, Before & After Photos Show CA's Snowpack, Reservoirs After Storms, Best Bay Area Sandwiches + Stranded Hiker Rescued: Saturday Smiles, Sprawling Estates, Suburban Dreams: 11 Featured Bay Area Homes, The Poop On Free-Range Cats And Your Lawn And Garden [Block Talk], Monarch Butterflies: Our Fluttery Friends Are Wintering In The Area, Visit CA's National Parks For Free On 5 Fee-Free Days In 2023, Alameda County Gardening: November Checklist, Growing Spinach In Containers: Alameda County Gardening, What To Do In Alameda County Gardens In October. Grappling with homelessness, California weighs extending foster care for 5 years As in the earlier case, the plaintiffs argued, among other things, that the eviction would amount to an unconstitutional state-created danger. Local News | Orange County Sheriff's Department. To reduce homelessness, we must slow its growth and keep more people in their homes. Housing | The encampment is on property owned by the city, railroads and various government agencies, including Caltrans, which owns the property directly under the freeway. The order is the latest in a long-running dispute over a homeless camp that once covered 40 acres under the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland, where between 200 and 300 people lived in vehicles, RVs, tents and other makeshift structures. Oakland is experiencing a network outage that is affecting key services such as Oak311, permitting and business tax. Gavin Newsoms administration just awarded Oakland a $4.7 million grant to come up with a model at Wood Street one that can be replicated in other cities. Local News | Settlement reached between . Its unclear whether residents will be open to moving to a city-sanctioned site. Report the issue to our encampment management team at homelessness@oaklandca.gov. Resident Ron McGowan, who lives at the site in question, said there are about 80 people there. A federal judge on Monday ruled the city can resume efforts to remove dozens of people from a large homeless camp in West Oakland, ending a nearly two-month courtroom battle over the camps fate. . The Citys suggestion that it has no responsibility for homeless individuals on state property unless there is a specific earmark is simply unacceptable, Patterson wrote. 6 of 23 7 of 23. For now, it appears that camp residents will have at least another long weekend at the park before the standoff continues. The Commission shall publish an annual report regarding how and to what extent the City Council and Mayor have implemented this Chapter. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. $400 rent for the low income housing they made. LA CITY COUNCIL GREENLIGHTS BAN ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS 500 FEET FROM SCHOOLS, DAYCARE CENTERS Though Newsom's handling of the Oakland matter was worded authoritatively, the governor has also. Homeless Encampment at Lake Merritt Blvd Oakland, CA, 94607, USA: Hi, both sidewalks on either side of the channel going from Lake Merritt to the Bay are entirely blocked by homeless encampments. After nearly two-month delay, judge allows, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, After nearly two-month delay, judge allows Oakland to remove large homeless camp, Housing proposal for unhoused leaves Santa Clara residents sharply divided, Forcing Californians into mental health treatment would get easier with proposed legislation, Grappling with homelessness, California weighs extending foster care for 5 years. The expert behind the report compared it to the poorest places in the world, decried the lack of access to clean water and toilets, and said the rodent infestations, fire dangers and other hazards should be quickly addressed. after a two-alarm fire broke out Monday at the site, decried the lack of access to clean water. Aric Crabb has been a staff photographer at the Bay Area News Group since 1998. Ramona Choyce lost everything in a fire in March at the encampment, which has seen several blazes in the past year. Caltrans removed five people living on its property between 16th and 20th streets after the deadly fire in April and is now installing concrete barriers and fencing to prevent people from returning to the area. Residents of the encampment said they know that Caltrans has long wanted to clear them out and plan to resist if the sweep happens. The city also spent money on contracts, legal costs, towing abandoned cars and police and fire responses to encampment emergencies. We cant go far, Clutch said. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group). When U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick issued a temporary restraining order on Jan. 6, 2023 forbidding the city of Oakland from closing a homeless encampment at 1707 Wood St., he told. He said his latest order could be rescinded if the city fails to provide enough shelter beds or fails to make outreach workers available to help displaced residents find alterative shelter.
