Palm Springs opposes bill aimed to decriminalize homelessness

More than 100,000 people consider the sidewalks of California their home, that’s why Sen. Carol Liu of the 25th District proposed Senate Bill 876.

The bill would allow homeless people to rest and eat in public spaces such as parks, courtyards, plazas, sidewalks and public transportation facilities without getting in trouble with the law.

The City of Palm Springs took emergency action last week and voted unanimously to write a letter to Sen. Liu opposing SB876.

Mayor Robert Moon Sends Letter of Opposition to California State Senate

“This would allow homeless people to camp here on the front lawn of City Hall,” said Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon. “And set up tents on private property used by the public like a parking lot or shopping center.”

The bill states it will not reduce homelessness, but neither will local ordinances that criminalize homelessness.

The city worries the bill would undermine its existing efforts to end homelessness once and for all and Moon is calling for more funding to get people off the streets.

“We want to see the state provide more resources to house the homeless and not take away our ability to enforce our own local ordinances,” said Moon.

Liu’s staff said Tuesday the goal of the bill is to prevent the homeless from having an arrest record and accumulating fines they can’t pay for, which could further stop them from qualifying for housing or education loans.

It would not interfere with city authority to protect public health and safety. Instead, it’s parallel with the bi-partisan proposal “No Place Like Home,” a $2 billion bond to provide homeless people permanent supportive housing and access to mental health and substance abuse services.

“I certainly respect what Senator Liu is doing, but this is not the way to do it,” said Moon.

Moon said the beauty of palm springs and tourism drive the city’s economy and SB876 could change that.

“If people come to the airport and drive by city hall and see a homeless tent city, it would send a negative message about the welcoming and the enjoyment of Palm Springs,” Moon said.

Liu’s team said the bill is in its early stages and they remain open to recommendations for improving the it. SB876 still needs to be scheduled for a hearing by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee in the coming weeks.