Moving the homeless just adds to problems

Members of Chico City Council: You are morally obligated to make it possible for each citizen of Chico to live safely. You are not doing this when you force hundreds of people, who cannot afford to rent in Chico, to live in tents that are subject to eviction. Furthermore, you are adding to their problems by forcing them to move every few days with whatever little they have — or can move — while not allowing them to use tents as “homes” elsewhere.

We beg you to help them move into rooms of some kind, if available, or to stay in their tents until they can obtain the social and/or behavioral services they need to feel whole and able to apply for jobs, social services, or whatever is needed to help them out of their current rootless existence.

If the city cannot find or afford enough funding for rooms or other assistance for those who are in need, why not coordinate a major fundraiser asking for donations from our fellow citizens, many of whom have been pleading for you to help? State-owned or statemanaged properties are locations where tents, or other temporary and longer term housing could be situated — as the governor ruled on January 8, 2020. (Executive Order #N-23-20). We also request the city to apply will apply for grants.

Let’s bring this horrendous period of Chico’s history to a close, while re- establishing ourselves as a caring community and yourselves as caring, intelligent, and responsible city council members.

— Grace M. Marvin, Chico