Oceanside City Council Approves Emergency Anti-Camping Measures

OCEANSIDE, CA — At the April 7, 2021 meeting the Oceanside City Council voted unanimously to approve measures to address homeless encampments on Oceanside Blvd and other locations throughout the city.

Residents and businesses had petitioned the city to urgently address the surge in homelessness in recent months. Of biggest concern is the homeless encampment located off of Oceanside Boulevard, near the I-5, which has become a focal point in recent weeks.

On the agenda at the Wednesday City Council meeting were two items that are intended to work together to provide an emergency solution to address the problem. The total cost of the program for six months is $632,630 assuming full capacity.

The first item authorized the City Manager to approve motel and housing supportive services for homeless residents needing temporary shelter.

The second item the council approved was an ordinance to amend Chapter 20 of the Oceanside City Code relating to camping, sleeping, and storage of personal property in a public place.

The council further adopted an urgency ordinance to make the amendments effective immediately for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety.

Public comments at the meeting ranged from business owners pleading for help to protect their storefronts and customers to homeless advocates that claim temporary measures like motel voucher programs will not solve the problem.

Watch the April 7 Oceanside City Council Meeting on KOCT.

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