Breaking News: Chico Civil Rights Lawsuit Settlement Details
We are feeling very pleased about the terms of this settlement after an initial review. The City of Chico will be finally be required to provide actual solutions, rather than just harassing people who don't have other options as a matter of policy.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐:
177-Pallet Shelters at the old BMX track location, may be single or double occupancy. These units are lockable for safety and property storage, and include heating and cooling.
These shelters will be low-barrier, meaning people can enter as they are. This is not only in compliance with state and federal policy, but also reduces the many obstacles to get getting people off the streets and engaged with services. Pets are allowed, which is also critical for the success of this endeavor.
Potable water
Trash receptacles and removal
Access to showers
Some provision of food
Access to hot water and microwaves to allow for minimal personal food preparation
Access to laundry services
A shade tent with benches
The city must ensure there are an adequate number of shelter beds available before giving proper notice to people who are camping to move. This means they must have an actual count of available beds and the number of homeless individuals who need them.
Outreach and engagement staff are required to supervised by licensed social workers.
Seizures of personal property are limited and given careful notice, including where it can be retrieved.
The city can no longer close or fence public bathrooms to prevent access
๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ.
Too bad it took a multi-million dollar lawsuit to implement common-sense solutions.
It's worth noting that the work done by Legal Services of Northern California has been stellar.
