Bringing order to homelessness crisis? Lodi officials say Newsom's move will help city better address the issue

Jul. 26—With Lodi's unsheltered population rising despite tens of millions of dollars spent to combat the crisis, local leaders say that an executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom will help the city better address the effects of homelessness on the community.

On Thursday morning, Newsom called on state officials to begin removing homeless encampments from state property across California in a "human and dignified" manner.

"This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same," Newsom said in a statement. "There are simply no more excuses. It's time for everyone to do their part."

His order comes after the Supreme Court's June 28 ruling that cities enforcing anti-camping bans are not violating the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, even if homeless individuals have no place to go.

The ruling seemingly struck down the Martin v. Boise decision of 2018, that said cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they do not provide enough homeless shelter beds for their unsheltered populations.

Lodi City Manager Scott Carney said Newsom's order only further aids the city in addressing its growing homelessness problem.

This year, San Joaquin County's point-in-time count revealed there were some 422 homeless individuals in Lodi, an increase of about 70 from 2022.

"We appreciate the governor's support and the direction provided to state agencies to address these challenges," Carney said. "With the governor's guidance, we look forward to more partnerships with state and other agencies to continue to address homelessness in our community holistically with support and accountability."

Mayor Lisa Craig said city staff is evaluating its options, noting that at its last meeting, the council requested a presentation regarding how the June 28 and Boise decisions might impact efforts in addressing the homeless problem.

"Our Lodi police officers currently post 72-hour notices for the removal of homeless encampments and conduct clean-ups," she said. "It appears a 48-hour notice is now what the governor is encouraging. I look forward to receiving a report from our city team at an upcoming council meeting regarding their recommendation for any additional strategies for protecting the safety and security of our residents and business owners."

Councilman Alan Nakanishi said he was happy with Newsom's order, and that Lodi was currently working on a plan to remove the encampments.

"Lodi has been in front of the curve," he said. "Cities which have done little will have more of a challenge."

According to report prepared by University of the Pacific last August, the cost of homelessness in San Joaquin County in 2021 was estimated between $131.8 million and $160.2 million. The survey report also estimated that the average cost per individual homeless person was between $56,800 and $69,100.

While the City of Lodi did not participate in the study, city officials estimated at the time that Lodi had spent about $35.7 million on homelessness since 2019.

In 2021, the year Pacific conducted the study, Lodi received millions in grant funding for its two major homelessness projects, the homeless access center and Harmony Homes, which consists of four tiny homes for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

According to News-Sentinel archives, the city spent nearly $4.6 million on the two projects combined.

The city spent $2.2 million to purchase the 712 N. Sacramento St. property for the access center. The money used came from its capital outlay fund and a federal grant, which combined totaled $2.8 million.

The Harmony Homes project, located on the corner of Washington Street and Lodi Avenue, cost more than $3 million in total during the 2021 year. The city allocated $336,265 in grant funds to the project in early 2021, and set aside an additional $50,000 in operational maintenance reserves. Another $150,000 was set aside to cover extraordinary maintenance and repair costs that might occur. Additional funds came from a $1.25 million Homeless Emergency Aid Program grant.

Councilman Mikey Hothi said enforcement was long overdue in response to Newsom's order.

"Our parks and streets are overrun, and people are fed up," he said. "Lodi has resources for those who desire them, and the Supreme Court has cleared the way for action. It's time for Lodi to pass a no-camping ordinance."

Councilman Ramon Yepez agreed.

"The previous strategies employed by the city and state have evidently failed, as evidenced by the rise in homelessness in Lodi and across the state," he said. "The governor's executive order represents a necessary and appropriate step toward addressing this pressing issue."

Homeless advocate Johnny Coughran said the homeless crisis has been increasing for several years, and that an order to clean up encampments was only a temporary solution.

"After the cleanup takes place, that individual is still addicted, broken, lost, mentally ill, handicapped, elderly, traumatized from physical and/or sexual abuse... these are the root issues that many of the unsheltered population are held captive by," he said. "Until we look wholeheartedly at programs and a transitional aspect, not even shelters will be able to keep up with the problem."

Coughran, a former member of the Lodi Committee on Homelessness, said shelters are a necessary component to removing encampments, as they provide a safe place and a new beginning for those who want to turn their lives around. He said Inner City Action has done a great job managing the 200-bed Lodi access center on North Sacramento Street, with a focus on bringing homeless individuals into the shelter and transitioning them into housing and employment programs.

However, Inner City Action will only be operating the access center through the end of this year, as the city council selected the Salvation Army to become the facility's permanent operator moving forward.

"My overall opinion on this matter is that greed and trauma got us into this problem," Coughran said. "And only love and faith are going to get us out. Our country was founded on 'In God we trust,' so let's start there, seek Him, and be more like Him."

San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors chair Miguel Villapudua said Newsom's order was welcome news, as it will ensure local efforts to address encampments will be supported by his administration and state agencies.

He added the county is ready to implement the order, thanks to the board's SJCARES initiative — which is designed to connect the unsheltered with supportive services — as well as partnerships with cities and Caltrans.

"This executive order means that we will be able to rely on the State as a partner in encouraging,

with consequences and safe boundaries, those among us who are struggling with addiction and mental

health crisis to seek and accept help," Villapudua said. "We see this as a positive development in addressing the crisis of unsheltered encampments in our community, and we are glad that the governor has authorized the state to be a full partner in this effort."