SacBee, August 19, 2020
ACTION ALERT:
DEMAND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL FUNDS THE SAFE PARKING PROGRAM THEY APPROVED IN 2019
10 REASONS WHY!
OPEN LETTER TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 24, 2020
Mayor Steinberg & City Councilmembers-
It took me all of 20 minutes to drive around town and take these photos of families living out of their cars and RV's.
There are at least 50 cars and RV's in these pictures.
And I am sure that there are many other locations like these around our community.
In fact, the 2019 Point In Time count documented that of the 1,139 adults and children in homeless families - 33% slept in their vehicles - and disprportionately homeless families are Black.
Last year you approved the Safe Parking Program for CM Jennings and CM Guerras districts.
But.... they still are not operational.
We -- SRCEH, Loaves and Fishes, Sacramento Black Caucus, Area Congregations Together, the Poor Peoples Campaign and the Services Not Sweeps Coalition--have urged you over the past two months to use some of the CARES Act funding for these Safe Parking Programs, but you so far have not heeded this recommendation.
Who will operate it? First Steps Communities is interested in operating this program.
Where to site? the light rail parking lots are nearly empty.
Below are 12 reasons why you need to fund the Safe Parking Programs now!
It is a matter of equity and justice.
We demand that this item is acted upon promptly.
No more excuses.
IF YOU AGREE ... THEN CONTACT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TODAY AND DEMAND THEY FUND THE SAFE PARKING PROGRAMS TODAY!
If you are homeless, please call 211 for help.
Find food, shelter, housing, transportation, income [CalWORKs, G.R. SSI], legal and health care resources in the our publication, Peoples Guide to Health, Welfare & Other Services
NOTE: Given the lack of funding, we were not able to create a 2020 edition - but the resources in the Guide - while there are a few changes - should still help you find the resources you need
