One Sacramento City Councilman is pushing the city to consider a "tent city" to provide shelter and services for the homeless.
City Councilman Allen Warren represents District 2. He supports a pilot program that would use dorm-style tents to help people make the transition from the streets to permanent housing.
"We've been advocating for an opportunity to prove that an outdoor solution could be part of the plan for relieving some of the homeless issue," Warren says.
The tents would fit 6 to 8 people. Porta potties, showers, storage and dog kennels would be provided. The cost to the city could be $100,000 dollars.
A local non-profit has agreed to operate a facility if the city council agrees to fund it. Warren says businesses have pledged financial support for the project.
Other council members have had mixed reactions to the idea.
Warren is expected to make a formal presentation to the council for its approval, after he settles on a location. Warren says he is looking at two possible locations.
The city currently has a no-camping ordinance, but a declaration from the city manager's office could negate that in some circumstances.
In 2009, Sacramento made national news for a large group of homeless who had taken over a vacant property north of the Blue Diamond Almond plant.
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