- Mayor Darrell Steinberg is pushing a “right to housing” ordinance in Sacramento — a legal mandate forcing governments to house every one of their residents.
- Sacramento has committed to spending $100 million on homelessness over the next two years — the first-of-its-kind proposal would require the city to offer every unhoused resident a housing placement.
- “But we require a free public education for children… that’s a given because it’s a fundamental right. Well, housing is a life essential. It’s life and death,” the Mayor emphasized.
The Mercury News writes:
“As swelling homeless encampments continue to overwhelm California, one big city mayor has a bold idea: A legal mandate that would force governments to house each and every one of their residents.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg is pushing a “right to housing” ordinance in Sacramento that he hopes will spark similar measures throughout California. The first-of-its-kind proposal would require Sacramento, which has committed to spending $100 million on homelessness over the next two years, to offer every homeless resident a housing placement. Alternatively, since affordable housing is so hard to come by, the city could offer them a bed in a homeless shelter, tiny home, sanctioned tent encampment or other temporary facility — as long as it comes with a long-term path to permanent housing. People who fall through the cracks could sue the city.
Steinberg also wants to require people to accept shelter. Once someone has been offered two different types, the city would be able to clear their encampment and force them to move. Details on how this would be enforced are murky, but Steinberg insists it wouldn’t involve police…”
See full story here.
Categories: Economy, Government, Politics, Society
Economic Left 
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