As the homeless population has grown and become more visible, many cities and states have pivoted from a focus on the rights of homeless people to the rights of local residents and businesses.
The initial complaint, filed in September in Sacramento County Superior Court, asked a judge to force the city to take action on the issue of homelessness, removing what’s termed a “nuisance” on its property.
Calling it a win-win, the Missoula City Council approved spending $500,000 to build two modular bathrooms and connect them to city services for use at the Johnson Street Shelter.
With a new mayor set to take office and critical tweets by one council member, the City Council will delay its decision on an urban camping ordinance until early next year.
The city opened up more than 350 shelter beds in late October, allowing for the rest of the tents in the city’s large homeless encampment to be cleared.
David Stalling writes, "A growing and expanding homeless population is a symptom of a societal illness. We need to examine, diagnose and treat it or it will continue to get worse."