DATE:
May 20, 2025
13
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
REPORT ON EXISTING COUNTY POLICIES AND PRACTICES REGARDING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT ABATEMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE ABATEMENT PROCESS IN HIGH FIRE-RISK AREAS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On February 25, 2025 (12), the Board directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to return in 90 days with: (1) a report on existing County policies and practices regarding the removal of illegal encampments, including emergency removal based on fire risk, and (2) recommendations to improve the encampment removal process. The Board further directed the CAO to identify high fire-risk areas within the County with significant homeless encampments and prioritize these areas for removal and issuance of stay-away orders as appropriate. The Board also directed the CAO to work with other jurisdictions interested in implementing similar measures and to not duplicate efforts previously directed on August 27, 2024 (17), which were reported back on March 11, 2025 (13).
In response to Board direction, the Public Safety Group Executive Office coordinated with multiple County departments, including the Departments of Parks & Recreation (DPR), Planning & Development Services (PDS) and Public Works (DPW), as well as the Finance & General Government Group, Health & Human Services Agency, County Fire, Office of Emergency Services, and Sheriff's Office. This collaborative effort resulted in the development of a comprehensive overview of current policies and practices related to homeless encampment abatement and identification of opportunities to strengthen interdepartmental coordination, improve situational awareness, and enhance operational effectiveness in support of encampment abatement activities, especially as it relates to fire risk.
Today's requested actions are for the Board to receive a report on existing County policies and practices regarding homeless encampment abatement and recommendations to impro...
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