In California, one of the major problems besetting the state today is the homelessness crisis. Here in the Bay Area, it is most prevalent in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and even in Fremont. Well, of course, it is also a very serious problem in Los Angeles and adjoining cities.

State Senator Catherine Blakespear’s bill (SB 16) proposes “that when cities do the right thing and build new shelter and interim housing to address our homelessness crisis, the counties in which they are located should step up and contribute. If passed, it would require that counties with populations over 200,000 fund 50% of their cities’ homeless shelter operating costs. This seems only fair given that counties have both the legal jurisdiction and funding for health and human services for our most vulnerable residents – and much larger budgets than cities.”

Apparently, what Senator Blakespear is saying is that residents have the responsibility to contribute in addressing the problem and working for a solution. They need to do their part and make sure they make their surroundings clean and safe.

On the other hand, Senator Josh Becker’s bill (SB 606) “would require that when local jurisdictions apply to the state for funds for homelessness programs that they present a real, data-driven plan for getting everyone off of their streets. When cities and counties are required to do the math, and grapple with the true scale of the crisis as well as the true cost of many solutions, they will be more accountable for prioritizing fast and scalable solutions over ideologically convenient ones.”

Also, State Senator Becker likewise mentioned the residents need to be accountable and must contribute to the solution of the problem.

Being confronted with the homelessness issue here in San Jose, Mayor Matt Mahan, on Monday, went up to Sacramento and stood beside California State Senators Catherine Blakespear and Josh Becker to support their bills – SB 16 and SB 606 respectively – that would help ensure every jurisdiction does its part to end the state’s era of encampments.

Mayor Mahan’s team have been proud to work with these two senators to promote common sense in Sacramento in addressing the problem. The common-sense formula seems to be working in San Jose, a concept introduced by Mayor Mahan in addressing homelessness in the city.

“This year,” Mayor Mahan said, “the city is opening an additional 1,000 safe, dignified shelter and interim housing placements to help people move out of encampments, but we’ve just about reached our limits fiscally. While we feel an immense urgency to offer alternatives to the streets and disband encampments, we cannot go it alone if we want to build out a shelter and interim housing system that can end the era of encampments. We need neighboring cities to also invest in pragmatic solutions for getting everyone indoors, and we need our County to prioritize funding for the services homeless residents need to turn their lives around.”

Mayor Mahan said, in his regular “Dear Neighbor” letter to his constituents: “These bills are two pieces of the larger statewide framework we need for ending unsheltered homelessness. As we’ve discussed many times, our counties must build thousands of additional in-patient treatment beds for addiction and mental illness. We must invest in job training, education, and family reunification services that help people become more self-sufficient. Counties and cities must embrace cheaper, faster forms of shelter like prefabricated modular units and converted motels. We must stop stigmatizing the idea of “shelter” and sober living environments.”

Cities must say yes to new housing, especially where it makes sense near transit and other infrastructure. The State must commit to not only holding each and every city and county accountable for doing its fair share, but it must commit ongoing funding for the solutions that show measurable results.

And, when shelter, treatment, and other services are available, we must hold our homeless neighbors accountable for coming indoors and accepting help. By working together and holding everyone accountable for doing their part, we can end this crisis.

“We need more leaders in Sacramento like Senator Blakespear and Senator Becker who are willing to propose new ideas and stand strong for change. And we can’t stop advocating alongside them – not just for more investment, but for better investment from every level of government.” Mahan said.

These are measures that will surely add up to steps already taken by local leaders in addressing their own problem of homelessness in their respective areas,

If the residents can cooperate and work with the legislators, I hope we will be able to address the issue very well and even really end up the homelessness crisis.

But… it needs everyone to jump in and do their part. It should be an “all for one, and one for all!” program with the residents joining the administrators in solving the problem!

Let’s hop in and join the movement to end encampments, homelessness!

Actually – it takes two to tango!