In an effort to manage issues surrounding homelessness, the Davis City Council has rolled out a multi-tiered strategy to revise homeless services, as reported by the City of Davis. During a special meeting, measures were voted on that include an Encampment Response Protocol along with municipal code changes aimed to protect both public and private properties.
Last night, according to the City of Davis announcement, the Council introduced revisions to the camping ordinance. This marks an attempt to better regulate where camping can occur, with the addition of prohibited areas that now include private property, not just parks and open spaces as the previous language mandates.
The City’s outreach team, backed by the Department of Social Services and Housing, will utilize a compassion-first approach to offer services to the unsheltered before enforcement under the ordinance takes place. This coordinated response, which integrates the efforts of various agencies, aims to connect individuals with necessary resources while balancing the needs of the general community.
For handling encampment concerns, the City has advised there are two ways to report issues. Non-urgent issues can be reported through the My Davis portal online or via the app, and for urgent matters that require immediate assistance, such as aggressive behavior, either the Police Department's non-emergency number or 911 should be called. This dual pathway ensures that unsheltered people in need and/or encampments are addressed timely and efficiently.
In response to community needs, City Council has also directed staff to evaluate options for potentially increasing services for those without shelter. This includes discussions around extended Respite Center hours and sanctioned camping locations. The Council expressed interest in a wide array of community-focused solutions, such as a Downtown Streets Team Peer Support Program and community navigators to share information about homelessness prevention actively.
The City Council is also seeking collaboration with the local faith-based community to deepen the support network for the unhoused in Davis. Additional details on the initiative and the City Council Meeting can be found on the City's website dedicated to Social Services and Housing and the Police Department, including a video recording of the special meeting. Press contact Barbara Archer is available for further inquiries.
