03/25/2009 GAAS:117:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Mayor Johnson to Announce Steps to Help Homeless
Plan Will Help City Temporarily Relocate Homeless to Cal Expo
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson today to announce the state's
participation in a plan that will serve as a first step to addressing
Sacramento's homeless issue by helping the city temporarily relocate homeless
people living in "Tent City" to Cal Expo.
"Together with
the local government and volunteers, we are taking a first step to ensure the
people living in Tent City have a safe place to stay, with fresh water, healthy
conditions and access to the services they need," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"And I am committed to working with Mayor Johnson to find a permanent solution
for those living in Tent City."
"With last night's City Council vote, we have established a
strategy to provide compassionate care and today we began to implement it,"
said Mayor Johnson. "This afternoon, we will begin adding more beds here at Cal
Expo and begin to end the unsafe and unsanitary conditions at tent city."
Last week, the
Governor and Mayor Johnson met to discuss the illegal encampment of about 125 people
on the banks of the American River north of downtown Sacramento. Since that
time, the Governor's Administration has worked with the mayor and Cal Expo to
facilitate an arrangement to house up to 50 people at the fairgrounds through
the end of June when the city plans to have more long-term housing arrangements
in place. Cal Expo currently houses up to 154 homeless people who arrive by bus
in the evening from downtown and leave in the morning, which allows the
homeless access to services provided by nonprofits and government agencies. The
arrangement with Cal Expo was set to expire in March 31, but a three-month
contract will extend it while also adding beds.
When the
Governor met with President Obama in Washington, D.C. last Friday, he delivered
a letter asking the
federal government to expedite $2.37 million in economic stimulus funds for
homeless assistance in Sacramento.
