SACRAMENTO, Calif. — People living in Sacramento’s ‘Camp Resolution’ homeless encampment were recently told they have to move by May 16.
City officials plan to close the self-governing encampment as the variance to use the Colfax Street site as a ‘safe parking’ site expires June 1.
A letter sent by the city to Safe Ground Sacramento executive director Mark Merin asks that personal property and occupants be removed two weeks ahead of that expiration date.
The city is now speaking with Safe Ground Sacramento leadership about the possibility of a new ‘safe parking’ site.
The California Homeless Union says — as the representative and legal counsel of Camp Resolution — they intend to fight the closing and force the city to keep its promise not to close the camp until everyone there is provided with safe, permanent indoor housing.
As the closing date draws closer, the people living at Camp Resolution are worried about what’s next.
"It's a nightmare. That's very scary, so I'm really stressed out right now. Worried. I don't know what'd I do,” said resident Danielle Wild.
Wild has lived at Camp Resolution for two years. She’s trying to get back on her feet but feels like she’d be back to square one if she has to pick up and leave.
"They claim that there's some kind of hazardous outgassing of substances resulting from previous use of the property and that it's dangerous for people who live there, but it's more dangerous for them to be living on the streets,” said Mark Merin with Safe Ground Sacramento.
The nonprofit is working with the union to fight the closing. He says it’s either going to be a court battle, political battle or just a plain battle moving forward. It all depends on what the people living on the lot want to do.
"What may happen really, if the Sacramento Homeless Union wants to do it, is they'll fight to continue the lease or they'll fight to get the benefits under the lease, which is essentially housing. They want housing as does anybody,” said Merin.
One advocate suggests moving the camp to a different location.
"If this place is working for them, find another place. We have the Arco Arena, we have Cal Expo. It's empty. There's no one there. They didn't ask my opinion, but we have a lot of space. Parking lots that are downtown have cameras in place and security in place,” said Christine Bell with Women’s Empowerment.
According to the Sacramento Homeless Union, the city hasn’t provided any alternative to where they’ll go.
Camp Resolution is primarily populated by people with disabilities, older people and women. Wild says closing the site is a step in the wrong direction for people like her who fear living in an unsafe place.
"People get killed, their stuff taken, vandalized, burned down,” said Wild. “It's terrible. All kinds of stuff happen to women down here."
Statement from District Attorney Thien Ho:
"I am pleased to hear that the City of Sacramento has finally recognized the danger they created by exposing the unhoused to toxic chemicals at Camp Resolution. The City’s decision is long-overdue. I have been warning City officials for months that the solution to our unhoused crisis is not to subject the most vulnerable to inhumane conditions, but rather to have solutions guided by compassion. I commend City Manager Howard Chan for having the courage to lead on this issue. I look forward to ensuring that North Sacramento becomes a safe area, for the unhoused and the housed. I will continue to monitor the situation closely. There is more work to be done, but rest assured my office will continue to prioritize public safety for all.”
Statement from Central Valley Regional Water Board who granted the variance expiring June 1:
“In early 2022, the board provided a temporary variance to a deed restriction for the Colfax Street site as the city initiated efforts to develop “safe parking” areas for unhoused persons. We understand that enforcement of the variance conditions was difficult for both the City and the occupants of the site and respect the city’s decision to close the safe parking site. Our response to this situation has always focused on safeguarding the health and safety of the people living at Camp Resolution. We will pledge to work with the city as it looks for alternate sites where vapor contamination is not a concern.
The board can’t comment further on the city’s decision to close the safe parking site.”
WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sacramento's 'Camp Resolution' now self-governing safe parking homeless encampment
