Final Report from Stakeholder Group - Proposed Ordinance Amendment: Camping and Storage on Public Property

This report details the findings and recommendations of a stakeholder group tasked with amending the City's proposed Camping and Storage Ordinance. The original ordinance aimed to address public concerns about safety and cleanliness in rights-of-way but faced criticism for potentially "criminalizing homelessness." The stakeholder group, comprising residents, business owners, individuals with lived experience of homelessness, service providers, public safety officials, and city staff, co-designed alternatives. Their primary recommendation is to adopt a service-first approach rather than an enforcement-first one, emphasizing care and compassion. They suggest clarifying the ordinance's intent to achieve compassionate compliance, balancing persistent outreach and housing options with the need to keep public spaces safe and usable. The group proposes exploring a City policy as a preferred alternative to an ordinance, but if an ordinance is necessary, it should prioritize voluntary compliance and offers of service before enforcement. Suggested changes include:

• Prioritizing voluntary compliance and relocation to lawful areas or shelters.
• Implementing a notification of prohibition and offer of services, coordinated with outreach workers, before enforcement.
• Reducing the penalty for non-compliance from a Misdemeanor 1 to a Misdemeanor 4 for the first violation (no jail time) and a Misdemeanor 2 for subsequent violations (potential jail time, access to public defender and Behavioral Health docket).
• Ensuring sufficient funding for emergency sheltering (e.g., hotel stays) and developing transitional/permanent supportive housing options.

This proposed ordinance amendment shifts the focus from punitive measures to a service-first approach for individuals experiencing homelessness, aiming for compassionate compliance. It prioritizes offering services and shelter before enforcement, and reduces penalties for non-compliance, potentially leading to more humane outcomes for vulnerable residents and improved public spaces.

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