SACRAMENTO, Calif — A Sacramento man said he is fed up with the mess and stress after an abandoned property in his downtown neighborhood became a place where the unhoused have started living.
For the past few years, Paul has enjoyed living in downtown, but he said things started to get worse this year. ABC10 is not identifying Paul by his full name because he fears for his safety.
"Car break-ins that have really shot up just in this block alone, people jumping into people's yards to the cops being there constantly," said Paul.
Paul is referring to the property on 15th and T Streets, where the Chinese Gospel Mission used to be. Over the last few years, the old church caught fire multiple times, and now that it's become a place for the unhoused, Paul said his numerous 311 calls to the city have gone unanswered.
"311 said that they basically can't take any action or even try to help the people because it's on private property," he said.
The city's 311 map shows more than 50 reports were filed or addressed within a month's span at that property. A city spokesperson told ABC10 a notice and order were given to the property owner in April. The owner had 30 days to secure and clean up the property or code compliance would come and clean it up at the owner's expense. The city adds it is currently working on follow-up notices to the owner and any clean-up fee the owner doesn't pay, will result in a lien on the property.
On Sunday morning, Paul said a crew came to clean up the mess, and by Monday afternoon, ABC10 only saw a few people in the area. Even so, those advocating for the unhoused said this is an opportunity for the city.
"If a property owner has abandoned the property, and people are putting it to good use existing and living and having a place to lie down and to keep their belongings, I would say that that's an improvement to the property and that the city could build on that improvement," said Niki Jones, with the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness.
ABC10 tried reaching out to the property owner and did get in touch with someone who matched the name of the last pastor on record. However, that person did not want to speak. ABC10 also asked the city if it was their crew that cleaned the property, but have not received a response.
For more ABC10 news and weather coverage on your time, stream ABC10+ on your TV for free:
► Roku - click here
► Amazon Fire - click here
► Apple TV - click here
WATCH ALSO:
