News Release: Encampment Compliance Initiative Following Ordinance Amendments and Opening of the Sanctioned Camping Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2024

Encampment Compliance Initiative Following Ordinance Amendments and Opening of the Sanctioned Camping Area

San Rafael, CA - In a continued effort to address homelessness and enhance public safety, the City launched a comprehensive encampment compliance initiative during the week of October 7, 2024. This initiative followed the recent opening of the Sanctioned Camping Area on October 4 and focused on some of the most impacted areas near the new site.

The City's homelessness team, along with multiple departments and contractors, led an extensive outreach and education campaign to inform individuals about the upcoming efforts and the new amendments to the camping ordinance. These ordinance amendments require campsites to maintain specific distances from roadways, property lines, and each other to promote safety and compliance.

The resolution process began with the removal of encampments along Andersen Dr. between Rice Street and Irwin Street on October 7. Campsites were given 48 hours to come into compliance, in accordance with the amended camping ordinance. Since the campsites could not comply with the requirement to be more than 10 feet from private property and 5 feet from roadway pavement, camping in this area is no longer permitted. City staff, along with outreach workers from community organizations, informed individuals in this area of the need to vacate and assisted eligible individuals in relocating to the Sanctioned Camping Area. On October 7, the City's contractors worked to return the site to its originally intended condition.

The south section of Mahon Path was closed to camping by an order of the City Council on October 7, to create a no camping buffer around the Sanctioned Camping Area. This effort is in alignment with best practices from other jurisdictions and similar programs. Individuals camping on the south section of Mahon Path were given a nine-days notice of this change. Many of these individuals were eligible for and moved into the Sanctioned Camping Area. City contractors began cleaning efforts on October 10.

Further outreach and enforcement were carried out along Andersen Dr. between Lindaro and Irwin streets. Occupants received 48-hour notices to comply with the new ordinance amendments, and the City's homelessness team engaged in significant outreach, informing residents of new regulations, as well as informing individuals eligible for the sanctioned camp and submitting referrals to shelter. Contractors worked throughout the day to resolve issues and bring encampments into compliance without the need for citations.

This coordinated operation, driven by extensive outreach and engagement, was made possible through the collaboration of City staff, service providers, the City's contractors and law enforcement. The outreach efforts to connect those affected with housing resources and inform them of the new Sanctioned Camping Area played a crucial role in the success of this initiative.

Community members interested in learning more about the City'sefforts to resolve homelessness shouldvisit https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/departments/homelessness/

Contact:[email protected]