Editorial fell short in two key areas

Congratulations to the Chico E-R editorial board for their excellent piece January 16th on the settlement of the homeless lawsuit. In my mind, however, it fell short in two areas.

First it probably will take months before the BMX site is up and running with all the agreed number of shelters and amenities. Therefore it will be some time before the parks and green ways are uninhabited and pristine.

Second, the editorial suggested it will be up to the local volunteers and activists to staff the shelter site and make it “work.” My reading of the 45 page settlement is that both sides have agreed that the city is solely responsible for funding contractors and mental health personnel to fulfill the its mandates, not volunteer homeless advocates. The Settlement states: “The City shall ensure, or cause to be ensured, that all occupants of the Housing Site are offered voluntary case management to provide assistance with securing permanent housing, employment and income benefits, health care (both physical and mental), treatment for substance use, assistance with legal issues and transportation.”

— Julian Zener, Chico