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From:Clara Jaeckel <br />To:publiccomment; GRP-City Council <br />Subject:public comment for 9/9/2024 item 8A <br />Date:Monday, September 9, 2024 2:21:34 AM <br />Comment for agenda item 8A: <br />I applaud the city's outreach work to residents experiencing homelessness and the countywide <br />coordination efforts. However, I am deeply concerned by both the county anti-camping <br />ordinance and the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court decision allowing <br />criminalization of homelessness. I urge Redwood City council members and staff to continue <br />working to connect people with shelter and permanent housing, without adopting these harsh <br />and counterproductive approaches. <br />All the accounts I have heard from outreach workers report that successfully connecting <br />unhoused people with services starts with building a relationship of trust. This often requires <br />significantly more than two contacts and offers of shelter. Adding the threat of a misdemeanor <br />for declining an offer does nothing to help. Instead it motivates people to evade contact and <br />refuse to speak with outreach workers, making it even harder to build the trust needed for a <br />positive outcome. <br />Also, anti-camping regulations do nothing to solve the root issues of the high cost of living <br />and lack of affordable housing that place people in an impossible bind. Just the opposite, <br />increasing people's involvement with the criminal justice system makes it even harder for <br />them to access permanent homes. <br />The best thing we can do to create a more stable community for both housed and unhoused <br />residents is provide more affordable housing. I urge you to continue focusing the city's efforts <br />there and not hobble our outreach work. Thank you.