ORD-23 Correspondence – TK
From: TK Blessed <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 9:25 AM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda 23- 6040 file #1
-EXTERNAL-
To Whom It my concern and Monique DeLaGarza the Long Beach city clerks office,
Agenda 23 file #1 looks like the city is trying to criminalize individuals for being unhoused.
Just when I thought this city was moving in a more positive direction for poor and or unhoused individuals living on the streets, on the riverbed, and living in their cars.
This proposal is problematic and it's more of an opportunity to criminalize people for being unhoused.
The community is struggling and there are not enough equitable solutions
The state of California mandates that every city, town and county are to provide housing to ALL its citizens.
More permanent housing is what the community needs and we demand that our tax dollars be used for tosses in need. The UNHOUSED of those that are on the verg of becoming UNHOUSED.
We know that there aren't enough available spaces and THERE IS NO RENT CONTROL to avoid becoming unhoused
I find it very interesting that the HOUSING ELEMENT MANDATED FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA can be an option and opportunity to help slow down the rate of individuals becoming unhoused.
It's time Long Beach city leaders and the community put their attention on the HOUSING ELEMENT MANDATED, it plays a huge role in helping to put an end to people living on the street, in their cars, in hotels, couch surfing, in shelters or in jail.
WHAT THE CITY HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE, THE CITY HAS NOW TURNED ITS ATTENTION TOWARDS THE CRIMINALIZING UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS.
As for the "obstructions" and "environmental concerns", cleanliness and public health issues...we know that's about selfish greed, business that drive the economy and capitalism. Being unhoused is an eye sore and that energy wants the eye sore gone and not caring where the unhoused go.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS and PUBLIC HEALTH?!?
Here's a start, public toilets (porta potties) for the unhoused and more equitable permanent housing units, and let's not criminalize people for being unhoused.
Agenda 23-0640 is not the SOLUTION to the issue of the unhoused, the city can do better. Concerned citizens urge the council members to do better and not pass this item.
Thank you for your time
TK.
A concerned citizen who loves our city and the Long Beach community.