Antioch clears homeless encampments for state grant funding

Antioch is intensifying its efforts to clear homeless encampments in response to a Supreme Court ruling and pressure from Governor Gavin Newsom, who has indicated that funding may be withheld from cities that do not take action. The city currently enforces a ban on overnight camping in parks and recreation centers, but officials acknowledge that this approach does not address the root causes of homelessness. Instead, they point to the city's transitional housing facility, Opportunity Village, as a more effective solution. The city is pursuing a $6 million state grant to establish a second transitional hotel, but there are concerns about the growing homeless population. Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe emphasized that Antioch will not become a dumping ground for the homeless from larger Bay Area cities that are dismantling their encampments. He insists that local residents should be prioritized for services, even as the city faces challenges in accommodating those living on the trails, who would not qualify for the new housing under the grant's terms. Residents like Christina, who has lived in the area for three years, express frustration over the proposed expanded camping ban, which would require them to relocate frequently, adding to their stress. Nichole Gardner, director of Facing Homelessness, criticized the city's approach, suggesting that the focus should be on providing stable housing rather than simply clearing encampments. The mayor plans to introduce the expanded camping ban at the upcoming council meeting, with implementation expected to take three to six months if approved. As cities like Antioch grapple with homelessness, the debate continues over the most effective strategies to address the issue while balancing community concerns.