Hyannis, Massachusetts. Church volunteers will continue to help the homeless even in the face of new state regulations.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100425mass_churches_vow_to_keep_helping_homeless/srvc=home&position=recent
Monday, April 26, 2010
Honolulu, Hawaii. This is an update to the ban on tents in city parks. (Editor note the original story is found in the April 19, 2010 entry.)
Since the tents are banned in the city parks (including a $500 fine) the homeless living the park have found a loophole to the ban----setting up the tents on the sidewalks.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100424/NEWS01/4240328/Honolulu+homeless+move+tents+onto+sidewalks+in+legal+loophole
Since the tents are banned in the city parks (including a $500 fine) the homeless living the park have found a loophole to the ban----setting up the tents on the sidewalks.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100424/NEWS01/4240328/Honolulu+homeless+move+tents+onto+sidewalks+in+legal+loophole
Police say homeless cannot stay at Illinois church
Buffalo, Illinois. Church tries to house homeless, but local police say that the homeless cannot stay in Buffalo. The church has been helping 12 to 20 homeless individuals for almost a month. The police say that the church building is unsafe due to possible fire safety issues. Police say that the church needs to go through the proper procedures to obtain a license.
This seems strange because the church says that there are regular events at the church with individuals staying overnight and fire safety much less a license was never needed in the past. Another situation that smells bad. What do you think?
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1394807252/Buffalo-calls-halt-to-church-lock-in-for-homeless
This seems strange because the church says that there are regular events at the church with individuals staying overnight and fire safety much less a license was never needed in the past. Another situation that smells bad. What do you think?
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1394807252/Buffalo-calls-halt-to-church-lock-in-for-homeless
Private landowner has tent city in the backyard
Indiana- A private landowner in a suburban subdivision allows tents to be set up for homeless in the backyard. This is an interesting example of what a private landowner could do as far as tents and the homeless. The landowner has tent space for about eight to ten people per night. However, the neighbors are not very happy about the situation because of what they see as declining property values. The local government is a bit chagrined because apparently there are no laws being broken.
The mayor said “[i]s this a homeless shelter, or simply someone using his private land as a place for his friends to stay? We have to weigh [the landowner’s] rights with the rights of his neighbors, who have made it clear they are not happy. In my personal and professional opinion it seems clear that you don’t allow someone’s backyard to become a homeless shelter, but that opinion is not one that’s based in the law. I think this is Hal’s way of provoking action.”
The mayor said “[i]s this a homeless shelter, or simply someone using his private land as a place for his friends to stay? We have to weigh [the landowner’s] rights with the rights of his neighbors, who have made it clear they are not happy. In my personal and professional opinion it seems clear that you don’t allow someone’s backyard to become a homeless shelter, but that opinion is not one that’s based in the law. I think this is Hal’s way of provoking action.”
Check out the entire article here:
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2010/04/23/news.qp-4784548.sto
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
More from New Jersey
Another tent community in New Jersey faces shut down and "relocation."
Apparently there are around 30 campers in this community.
Once again in this article the local government is faulting the camp for allowing new members to join the Mayor saying “[i]t [the camp] seems to gain residents faster than this committee can get them out.”
Not sure if the "get them out" in this statement is meant to mean helping the homeless find shelter or meant to mean kick the camp out of the place where it is now. In either event, how is the local government able to time-and-time again fault a tent encampment for allowing new people to stay at the camp.
If the local government does not provide adequate shelter---where are these people supposed to go? It is not the tent camp’s fault. The burden lands squarely on the shoulders of the local government.
The Township is gearing up to shut the tent camp down. In the legal brief the township attorney does not use the word eviction but instead substitutes the word relocation because he does not like the word eviction. However, changing the word DOES NOT change the meaning of the overall attempt to shut down and evict the campers.
(Editor's note - Please read the comments to the story)
http://www.app.com/article/20100419/NEWS/4190360/Tent-camp-dwellers-facing-relocation
This also is part of the story and has a MUST WATCH 4 minute video about the camp and short clips of New Jersey State Senator (and mayor?) Robert Singer.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/lakewood_proposes_relocating_h.html
Apparently there are around 30 campers in this community.
Once again in this article the local government is faulting the camp for allowing new members to join the Mayor saying “[i]t [the camp] seems to gain residents faster than this committee can get them out.”
Not sure if the "get them out" in this statement is meant to mean helping the homeless find shelter or meant to mean kick the camp out of the place where it is now. In either event, how is the local government able to time-and-time again fault a tent encampment for allowing new people to stay at the camp.
If the local government does not provide adequate shelter---where are these people supposed to go? It is not the tent camp’s fault. The burden lands squarely on the shoulders of the local government.
The Township is gearing up to shut the tent camp down. In the legal brief the township attorney does not use the word eviction but instead substitutes the word relocation because he does not like the word eviction. However, changing the word DOES NOT change the meaning of the overall attempt to shut down and evict the campers.
(Editor's note - Please read the comments to the story)
http://www.app.com/article/20100419/NEWS/4190360/Tent-camp-dwellers-facing-relocation
This also is part of the story and has a MUST WATCH 4 minute video about the camp and short clips of New Jersey State Senator (and mayor?) Robert Singer.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/lakewood_proposes_relocating_h.html
Boulder Camping Case Dismissed
Boulder, Colorado has dropped a case against three homeless men. The three men were ticketed for sleeping in public and for camping in the city of Boulder without a permit. The tickets carry a $100 fine, but this may be exchanged for 12 hours of community service for those that have no means to pay. The men decided to fight the tickets on the basis of the Eight Amendment Cruel and Unusual Punishment clause. But the city prosecutor has dismissed the case citing lack of evidence.
The true ownership of the property where the men slept and camped was not known at the time the case was to go before the court. And since defendants in the municipal courts have the right to trial within 90 days of entering a plea the prosecutor ran out of time.
This all seems very strange.
The prosecutor’s office could not in a 90 day time span find the true owner of a piece of property within the city of Boulder?
In 90 days the prosecutor could not figure out who the owner of the land was?
Either Boulder needs a new prosecutor or this smells really bad.
See the last line of the article that states the Boulder City Council on Tuesday is set to decide whether camping is allowed at all in the city. This is another politically decided case involving the homeless, and camping. Does the city of Boulder really think that by banning camping in the city limits that the homeless will simply disappear? Tell us what you think.
http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_14915978#ixzz0lfGjMSJ1
The true ownership of the property where the men slept and camped was not known at the time the case was to go before the court. And since defendants in the municipal courts have the right to trial within 90 days of entering a plea the prosecutor ran out of time.
This all seems very strange.
The prosecutor’s office could not in a 90 day time span find the true owner of a piece of property within the city of Boulder?
In 90 days the prosecutor could not figure out who the owner of the land was?
Either Boulder needs a new prosecutor or this smells really bad.
See the last line of the article that states the Boulder City Council on Tuesday is set to decide whether camping is allowed at all in the city. This is another politically decided case involving the homeless, and camping. Does the city of Boulder really think that by banning camping in the city limits that the homeless will simply disappear? Tell us what you think.
http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_14915978#ixzz0lfGjMSJ1
San Francisco Public Library
The San Francisco Public Library works with local social workers and the health department to help homeless patrons of the library. The library recognizes that everyone, even homeless individuals, is welcome at the public library. In conjunction with the social worker, four previously homeless individuals were hired by the library to work as monitors of the library and the restrooms.
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/Library-Hosts-Social-Worker-for-the-Homeless-91522499.html
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/Library-Hosts-Social-Worker-for-the-Homeless-91522499.html
Monday, April 19, 2010
$500 fine for Tent or Shopping Cart in City Parks
Waikiki, Hawaii
A ban on tents, and shopping carts took effect today. The police will cite people in city parks that have tents without a permit and carts up to $500.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12327907
A ban on tents, and shopping carts took effect today. The police will cite people in city parks that have tents without a permit and carts up to $500.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12327907
Where is Washtenaw County stimulus money going?
This article gives a little bit of an insight into that question as well as addresses the issue of the Michigan Prison ReEntry Initiative (MPRI). At the end of the article there is a suggestion to stop using the felon box on employment application here in Washtenaw County.
http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/04/12/whats-your-federal-stimulus-good-for/
http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/04/12/whats-your-federal-stimulus-good-for/
Tent City in Camden, New Jersey
The Tent City (or “Transition Park) in Camden, New Jersey that was set to be closed on April 15th remains up and running. This is after threats from the local government (or others? Please keep reading) that the camp was on the verge of being shut down for sanitation reasons. Now it would seem that since the city could not find adequate housing for all of the campers the camp will not be shut down.
This article (on the opinion page of the site) http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100418/OPINION/4180328/1047/opinion starts off the by stating “[h]ere are the facts on any Camden County involvement with Tent City in Camden” which is an odd thing to write in a newspaper article as though one must be told that the newspaper/author is now going to tell the truth instead of what it/he usually does?
The article continues, “[t]he land on which Tent City is located is owned by the state Department of Transportation. Neither Camden County nor Camden City has any jurisdiction over it.” This is an interesting point especially in the case of Camp Take Notice. Only the state has jurisdiction over the state owned land.
Later in the article the author accuses the official leader of the Tent City of default on an agreement “to keep any newcomers [new homeless individuals] from joining” the camp made to the city and county. Again this is odd as the article/opinion states that the land is owned by the state, and the city and county have no jurisdiction. So one would assume that the promise should have been made to the state in order to be enforced. The author of this particular article seems to trying to exculpate the county and the city from any blame for the homeless issue in the area of Camden.
This article from Friday indicates that the Attorney General’s office “has no specific plans or strategies to kick anyone out.” So the state does not plan to take action at this time. http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100416/NEWS01/4160323/1006/news01
This article from Saturday indicates that it was a Camden County official that made the threat to shut the camp down. But the camp could not be shut down because alternative adequate shelter could not be found for thirty or so campers remaining at the camp.
http://beforeitsnews.com/news/33987/Camden_Tent_City_Residents_Get_A_Reprieve.html
And finally yesterday. This article indicates that the campers were the ones that mandated the date of April 15 as a deadline to find adequate housing for those living at the camp.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/karen_heller/20100418_Karen_Heller__Spotlight_shining_on_Camden_s_Tent_City.html
Editors Note: So with all of this mismatch of information I have no idea what is true and what is not true. What does everyone else think?
This article (on the opinion page of the site) http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100418/OPINION/4180328/1047/opinion starts off the by stating “[h]ere are the facts on any Camden County involvement with Tent City in Camden” which is an odd thing to write in a newspaper article as though one must be told that the newspaper/author is now going to tell the truth instead of what it/he usually does?
The article continues, “[t]he land on which Tent City is located is owned by the state Department of Transportation. Neither Camden County nor Camden City has any jurisdiction over it.” This is an interesting point especially in the case of Camp Take Notice. Only the state has jurisdiction over the state owned land.
Later in the article the author accuses the official leader of the Tent City of default on an agreement “to keep any newcomers [new homeless individuals] from joining” the camp made to the city and county. Again this is odd as the article/opinion states that the land is owned by the state, and the city and county have no jurisdiction. So one would assume that the promise should have been made to the state in order to be enforced. The author of this particular article seems to trying to exculpate the county and the city from any blame for the homeless issue in the area of Camden.
This article from Friday indicates that the Attorney General’s office “has no specific plans or strategies to kick anyone out.” So the state does not plan to take action at this time. http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100416/NEWS01/4160323/1006/news01
This article from Saturday indicates that it was a Camden County official that made the threat to shut the camp down. But the camp could not be shut down because alternative adequate shelter could not be found for thirty or so campers remaining at the camp.
http://beforeitsnews.com/news/33987/Camden_Tent_City_Residents_Get_A_Reprieve.html
And finally yesterday. This article indicates that the campers were the ones that mandated the date of April 15 as a deadline to find adequate housing for those living at the camp.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/karen_heller/20100418_Karen_Heller__Spotlight_shining_on_Camden_s_Tent_City.html
Editors Note: So with all of this mismatch of information I have no idea what is true and what is not true. What does everyone else think?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Homeless News and Information Update
MISSION works hard every day to combat issues of homelessness in Washtenaw County. And MISSION believes it is very important to be informed and vigilant about homeless issues around the country. Being informed about homeless concerns will enable MISSION supporters to effectively discuss the issue of homelessness with others in our community. Please read the following news reports and information about homelessness in the U.S.
Washtenaw County is not the only place that faces the issue of homelessness and MISSION is not alone as an organization. Please be sure to tell your friends and family about this site and ask them to support MISSION and to become a member of this site to learn more about homeless issues here in Washtenaw County and around the country.
Detroit – Volunteers counted people sleeping on the streets of Detroit between the hours of 4 am – 7 am. This campaign attempts to place high risk individuals in safe housing. This is the beginning of what is to be a ten-year plan to stop homelessness in Detroit.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/community/23088868/detail.html
http://www.freep.com/article/20100409/NEWS01/100409005/1001/news
http://www.freep.com/article/20100409/NEWS01/4090334/Finding-help-for-homeless-people-goal-of-project
Lansing---Greater Lansing Housing Coalition makes progress for the homeless. Fixing up an old apartment building for homeless individuals that have special needs and homeless that are victims of domestic violence.
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=12272270
Sultan, Washington. Woman is told by the city that in order for her to continue to feed the homeless in a nearby park, she must buy a permit, pay a fee, and prepare the food in a commercially approved kitchen. Yet the mayor of the town admits that there are not enough services to help all of the homeless, and the business owners are only worried about homelessness in the town ruining tourism.
http://www.king5.com/news/Sultan-Homelessness-89951772.html
Merced, California----City officials decide to clear tent city of 30 to 40 individuals after a recently passed no camping law is passed in the city. Citizens that support this action by the city say the camp is an embarrassment and the homeless should go to shelters to live.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14830990
Camden, New Jersey---City officials decide to shut down Transition Park, an internationally known tent camp with over 50 homeless individuals ranging in age from 23 – 68.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100407_Tent_City_set_to_close__but_questions_remain.html?page=1&c=y#comment
Washtenaw County is not the only place that faces the issue of homelessness and MISSION is not alone as an organization. Please be sure to tell your friends and family about this site and ask them to support MISSION and to become a member of this site to learn more about homeless issues here in Washtenaw County and around the country.
Detroit – Volunteers counted people sleeping on the streets of Detroit between the hours of 4 am – 7 am. This campaign attempts to place high risk individuals in safe housing. This is the beginning of what is to be a ten-year plan to stop homelessness in Detroit.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/community/23088868/detail.html
http://www.freep.com/article/20100409/NEWS01/100409005/1001/news
http://www.freep.com/article/20100409/NEWS01/4090334/Finding-help-for-homeless-people-goal-of-project
Lansing---Greater Lansing Housing Coalition makes progress for the homeless. Fixing up an old apartment building for homeless individuals that have special needs and homeless that are victims of domestic violence.
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=12272270
Sultan, Washington. Woman is told by the city that in order for her to continue to feed the homeless in a nearby park, she must buy a permit, pay a fee, and prepare the food in a commercially approved kitchen. Yet the mayor of the town admits that there are not enough services to help all of the homeless, and the business owners are only worried about homelessness in the town ruining tourism.
http://www.king5.com/news/Sultan-Homelessness-89951772.html
Merced, California----City officials decide to clear tent city of 30 to 40 individuals after a recently passed no camping law is passed in the city. Citizens that support this action by the city say the camp is an embarrassment and the homeless should go to shelters to live.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14830990
Camden, New Jersey---City officials decide to shut down Transition Park, an internationally known tent camp with over 50 homeless individuals ranging in age from 23 – 68.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100407_Tent_City_set_to_close__but_questions_remain.html?page=1&c=y#comment
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