Why not organize a "foster" system? Eureka property owners having enough land to permit a "camper", can provide clean water access, potable toilet unit and safe electrical connection. After a standardized interview, overseen by City staff, a property owner and homeless individual can be matched. A contract should be drafted stating safe and reasonable terms for both parties. The property owner should supply a sleeping structure (a new tent at minimum) and the City should inspect such and provide any exemptions for accommodations deemed to be adequate shelter.
The tenant would clear the land of weeds and brush, mow lawns, trim hedges, prune trees, rake leaves and weekly maintain the lot for the property owner. The owner would provide a safe, clean living area for the camping tenant. The City would assign a worker to help the new tenants to receive food stamps to obtain healthy foods which would be prepared on a propane cook stove supplied by the property owner. (Maybe local stores could become involved by selling the stoves at an especially reduced price)
This would not work for every homeless individual, as some would not be able to complete this sort of task. However, there are those who are certainly capable and these individuals would benefit by living in the improved situation of a sanctioned camp, on private property. The property owners will certainly benefit from this symbiotic relationship by having their land cleared and maintained. This arrangement may even lead to further work opportunities, wherein, the tenant receives a wage. This suggestion is not a "full" solution for Eureka's homeless problem, however, it may reduce the number of individuals in need of shelter.
The "in-take" process must have oversight, to protect the prospective worker from property owners who do not fulfill their end of the bargain and, likewise, to insure that property owners are not victimized by tenants who run afoul of their contract terms.
Re: “Push and Pull”
Why not organize a "foster" system? Eureka property owners having enough land to permit a "camper", can provide clean water access, potable toilet unit and safe electrical connection. After a standardized interview, overseen by City staff, a property owner and homeless individual can be matched. A contract should be drafted stating safe and reasonable terms for both parties. The property owner should supply a sleeping structure (a new tent at minimum) and the City should inspect such and provide any exemptions for accommodations deemed to be adequate shelter.
The tenant would clear the land of weeds and brush, mow lawns, trim hedges, prune trees, rake leaves and weekly maintain the lot for the property owner. The owner would provide a safe, clean living area for the camping tenant. The City would assign a worker to help the new tenants to receive food stamps to obtain healthy foods which would be prepared on a propane cook stove supplied by the property owner. (Maybe local stores could become involved by selling the stoves at an especially reduced price)
This would not work for every homeless individual, as some would not be able to complete this sort of task. However, there are those who are certainly capable and these individuals would benefit by living in the improved situation of a sanctioned camp, on private property. The property owners will certainly benefit from this symbiotic relationship by having their land cleared and maintained. This arrangement may even lead to further work opportunities, wherein, the tenant receives a wage. This suggestion is not a "full" solution for Eureka's homeless problem, however, it may reduce the number of individuals in need of shelter.
The "in-take" process must have oversight, to protect the prospective worker from property owners who do not fulfill their end of the bargain and, likewise, to insure that property owners are not victimized by tenants who run afoul of their contract terms.