Posted on 11/21/2017 9:13:58 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
OAKLAND For everyone who has ever passed one of this citys sprawling homeless encampments and wondered how to help, Mayor Libby Schaaf has an answer open your door to someone in need of shelter.
The Oakland mayor is asking residents to offer their spare rooms, Airbnb units and rental properties to the citys homeless, a radical proposition that has prompted both cautious optimism and scathing criticism from her constituents.
In her annual State of the City speech, Schaaf challenged Oakland residents to give up that Airbnb. Fix up that back unit, and offer the space to people in need.
I hear so many times every day people ask me, how can I help the homeless?' Schaaf said in an interview. And so this is an inspirational example of how already more than 100 landlords are helping.
Its a last-resort idea, said Oakland homeowner Rebecca Chekouras, 66, and I think it doesnt make sense for anyone involved.
There are plenty of Oaklanders with extra space, but many say they rely on rental income from those spare rooms to help pay their own living expenses. There are 2,761 homeless living in the city, according to the most recent count, though experts agree that number is likely low.
Some in the community argue Schaaf should set an example by opening her own home.
Why would anyone else do it if she wasnt willing to do it? asked 48-year-old Judy Elkan, owner of the Mary Weather clothing store and art gallery in Oakland, and a member of the local Homeless Advocacy Working Group.
But Schaaf wont be signing up her own home anytime soon. She says she doesnt own rental property or a secondary unit, and has no space for tenants in the house she shares with her husband and two children.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
It is disgusting how many of these encampments you see around here in LA, and I mean in the SUBURBAN areas. In the bushes around and under the freeways especially.
How dare she keep rooms for her children and none for the homeless of her city? If she wants to see her constituents take filthy drug addicted crazies into their privates homes, she needs to have her kids bunk together and share the bathroom with some pervy filthy bums.
Me too... However, how many homeless is she housing? Will she be charging them? What’s the going rate for room and board in Oakland? Will be it be ok with the zoning board?
Yes. Obviously my one experience is not a scientific study, but I bet this happens all the time. This woman was in tears, so worried about her brother.
Take care, FRiend, :) Julie
G*d will reward you, FRiend. Bless you and yours.
I had the opportunity to go to Israel on a tour with my favorite talk show hosts (Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager) but I was having some health problems and my permanent resident card had expired.
I have always wanted to visit the Holy Land however; maybe someday I will.
All the best, Julie
Why didn't Hussein fix the homeless problem?
Because there wasn't a "homeless" problem when he was in office. It didn't happen until after President Trump took office.
Obviously, nothing bad ever happened in the world until President Trump was sworn in. Everything was fantastic under President Obama. Homelessness was particularly bad under President Reagan, but after President Obama, when everything was fine, it has returned with a vengeance on President Trump's watch. /s LOL!
At least in one North Bay Area town over 80% of the homeless came through the foster care system. Its my opinion that early childhood trauma, and lack of connection, often leads to mental illness, drug use, and homelessness.
Thanks for the info. I’ve often wondered how people end up homeless. Childhood traumas would explain a lot.
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