Cities Take Different Approaches to Address Homelessness

The San Diego City Council has passed an unsafe camping ordinance, or homeless encampment ban, with a 5-4 vote. The ban will go into effect 30 days after the first safe sleeping lot is set to open on July 1. Enforcement will consist of a three-step approach, including offering shelter and education, issuing a misdemeanor citation, and making an arrest. The ordinance will prohibit tent encampments in public spaces in the city if shelter beds are available and ban encampments entirely, at all times, regardless of if shelter beds are available, in parks, canyons, near schools, transit stations, and homeless shelters.