Oakland would dramatically change how it treats homeless people when removing encampments under a new policy pitched by District 7 Councilmember Ken Houston this week.
Houston’s plan, unveiled on Thursday night, would enable Oakland to shut down encampments regardless of whether the city has other shelter to offer residents. Currently, outreach workers are required to offer alternatives living arrangements before a camp is cleared.
Oakland police could also cite or arrest unhoused people who camp where they’re not allowed, under Houston’s proposal. The city’s existing policy says Oakland “will not cite or arrest any individual solely for camping, or otherwise for the status of being homeless,” but the proposal slashes that provision…