San Diego’s Tent Shelters For Homeless Get Boost In Funding, But Not Everyone’s Happy About That
Some advocates are angry about pouring more money into a project that they see as piecemeal when it could go to other initiatives. In other news across the state: the Desert Healthcare District board race heats up; a Fresno city councilman warns about political grandstanding over cannabis regulations; Yolo County students are being urged to sign up for CalFresh; and more.
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
San Diego Approves Spending An Additional $1M For Large Tented Shelters
San Diego City Council members on Tuesday agreed to spend another $1 million on three large tents that serve as bridge shelters for homeless people. Meeting as the city’s Housing Authority, council members voted 8-1, with David Alvarez dissenting, to increase funding for the three shelters to $13.9 million in the 2018-19 fiscal year budget. Most of the funding increase will be for staffing changes that city officials hope will move more homeless people from the tents and into housing. (Warth, 9/18)
The Desert Sun:
Desert Healthcare District Race: Candidates Talk Homelessness And New CEO
The Desert Healthcare District board has two seats up for election — the Zone 2 and the Zone 4 seats. Carole Rogers, an incumbent vying for Zone 2, is running unopposed, while Zone 4 has two newcomers vying for the spot. This is the first election in which zone elections, rather than at-large votes, will select board members. The candidates will compete to represent their communities following a year of change at the healthcare district, which is responsible for the allocation of $4 million in annual discretionary funds to help support primary care, behavioral health and homelessness initiatives throughout the Coachella Valley. The district doesn’t provide services but provides funds to support organizations that do. (Hayden, 9/18)
Fresno Bee:
Olivier: 'Beware Of Political Grandstanders' On Cannabis Policy
Fresno City Councilman Clint Olivier, a longtime cannabis advocate on the council, warned people attending a public forum earlier this week not to believe everything they may hear about the city’s draft cannabis regulations. Olivier was responding to radio and television interviews Councilman Steve Brandau gave earlier that day. Brandau said in the interviews he was surprised by the draft cannabis regulations released last week, and that he doesn’t believe they reflect the original intent of the City Council. (Calix, 9/18)
Capital Public Radio:
Yolo County Boosts CalFresh Enrollment Among UC Davis Students In Need
In an attempt to turn the situation around, Yolo County hired Code For America to design a user-friendly CalFresh website for students.They also teamed up with the civic tech non-profit mRelief to create a text messaging platform. Students can use mRelief to get screened for food assistance benefits, submit documents and schedule CalFresh appointments using their mobile devices. (Mitric, 9/18)
Capital Public Radio:
U.S. EPA, Sacramento Sanitation District Reach Settlement
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is fining a Sacramento area sanitation district for safety violations. The violations have to do with chemicals at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in Elk Grove. Employees, who use chlorine to disinfect the water, didn't immediately tell the National Response Center about three separate releases of chlorine in 2013 and 2014. (Milne, 9/18)