Now is the time to get involved! The Comp Plan Steering committee is getting input from committees and since they didn’t do anything since they passed the plan 5 years ago, now is the time to make this a priority and give it teeth!
The first substantial meeting on this will be:
Homeless Issues & Human Services Board Joint Committee Meeting – Tuesday July 9, 6:30 PM
Here is the 62 page packet of information for the meeting.
I think the goal is to improve the language and create measurable goals. Well, and to actually do something.
Some things to start thinking about are:
– Resolutions that have been passed lately, making sure that those items make it in to the plan
– Criminalization of Homelessness – stopping all the tickets
– Park policies regarding the homeless
– Homeless Court
– Showers, lockers, restrooms, etc.
– Creating enough shelter for those who want it (reduce long waiting lists! and 60 days limits/year)
– Shelters for youth, LGBT, couples and others left out
– Shelter banning policies and third party complaint systems
– Creating affordable housing
– Demolition replacement of affordable houisng
– Tiny house ecovillage
– Affordable Housing Trust Fund
– Voluntary Inclusionary Zoning
Anything else you might be interested in? What we need is more money, of course, but there are some policies like criminalization of homelessness and park policies that are just policies and cost very little. What would you add? What would you like to see the county planning to do in the next 5 years? Now is the time to give your input!
