SACRAMENTO, Calif. — North Sacramento residents say a growing homeless encampment is threatening the safety and peace of their neighborhood. The encampment is located along Rio Linda Boulevard, right next to a relatively new home development.
"We did ask the developers about it and they said that the city was working on addressing the issue, and that by the time we were moving moved in, that it would be taken care of," said Angela Miles.
Miles bought her home with her husband and eight children back in December 2019. She says at the time there was a homeless encampment just steps from the house, but it wasn't too bad. Miles says the home developer, Riverland Homes, promised the problem would be dealt with.
Now, four years later, she says the problem has gotten so bad she and her family do not feel safe.
"I had a homeless person threaten our wellbeing. He was standing in my driveway and telling me that he's going to do harmful things," said Miles.
Miles believes nobody cares for her or her neighbors after sending the city and home developers countless emails and dozens of 311 reports over the last four years.
"I feel like District 2 is treated like second class citizens, like I'm a taxpayer as well. I pay property taxes. I pay federal taxes. I should not have to have this," she said.
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Bob Erlenbusch with the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness says placing the blame on the unhoused is unfair and believes everyone should work together.
"Seeing if they could come up with a way for the homeless people to be employed? Can we create a crew of people that could mow lawns or you know, for a few dollars, just as a way to build a community rather than staying so isolated," he said.
A city spokesperson told ABC10 staff worked on the area as early as last week and four people accepted shelter services. The city also towed four hazardous vehicles and added it will continue to return to the area all week while providing support to those most vulnerable.
While it's progress, Miles says she's having a hard time staying hopeful.
"It's been since 2020. I'm exhausted," she said.
ABC10 reached out to Riverland Homes for comment, but did not hear back.
