STOCKTON, Calif. — Raymond Glasgow has yet another problem. Glasgow, who has experienced homelessness for about a year, received a notice a few days ago from the City of Stockton telling him to move his belongings from a vacant lot near downtown.
Glasgow, 61, said this would be his fifth move in the past three months.
"Then, once they clean up in this area, we just quietly come back, you know," Glasgow explained. "Just to tell us to move again two weeks later."
Glasgow's struggles could soon change. Gov. Gavin Newsom's announced plan offering 286 state-owned properties to local governments to lease for $1 as long as it is used to for homeless housing.
There are 19 state-owned properties available in San Joaquin County, including vacant lots like one in South Stockton on West Scotts Avenue. Sites also include the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton and the Lodi Armory.
JoLyn McMillan, CEO of the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, said she sees opportunity.
"There are several located across the freeway from the shelter that might be appealing for us in an expansion," McMillan said. "So, it's a little early to say what's going to happen to those properties. It depends on kind of the financing and what monies are available to develop those properties."
Bill Mendelson of Stockton's Central Valley Low Income said while the idea makes sense, he wonders about necessary infrastructure.
"You're going to need to bring in perhaps electricity, water, Mendelson explained. "You're certainly going to have to arrange for garbage, things like that."
Meanwhile, Glasgow, who recently had two heart attacks, said having a stable to place to recuperate would be miracle for people in the area experiencing homelessness.
"I got a dollar if that's what it costs to get a spot," Glasgow said jokingly.
Follow the conversation on Facebook with Kurt Rivera.
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