Proposed Encampment Health and Safety
Plan
In Response to the Recommendation to Temporarily Suspend the City of Vallejo’s Encampment Clearance Program for the Weeks Before and After the PIT
Overview
CAP Solano JPA and the Continuum of Care have requested that encampment clearances in the city of Vallejo cease during the months of January and February to maximize the accuracy of the PIT count and to optimize the outreach and rapid rehousing opportunity the PIT count provides. Unhoused and housed residents of the community have expressed concerns about health and safety risks that unsupported encampments pose. The following is a proposal that outlines best practices to address these concerns during a pause in the city’s existing encampment clearance program.
Summary
A successful and economical encampment health and safety program that makes use of our existing resources requires collaboration between city management, the police department, the fire department, public works, community partners, and volunteers. An ideal program would include the following:
• City management refers to existing, successful models and evidence-based practices to develop their program
• City management maintains a dialogue with community partners and volunteers, including those who are currently unhoused and those with lived experience • Weekly trash pick-up coordinated by the city of Vallejo, Public Works and Recology
• Garbage bags and Storage Bins for trash and food storage provided by Recology, the city of Vallejo, and community partners
• City management coordinates with public works to provide pest management as needed • City management coordinates community partners and volunteers to assist with and monitor garbage management in between pickup, including those who are currently unhoused and those with lived experience
• City management ensures that dumping is aggressively monitored and enforced.
Preventative strategies are implemented, such as posting signs and encouraging community reporting
• City management coordinates with the police and fire departments to engage in outreach in order to maximize safe practices and encourage reporting. The city of Vallejo ensures that reports of crime are responded to via investigation and that crimes committed in encampments are being reported through the appropriate channels
Note: given the challenges of the compressed timeline, and the fact that this program will only be implemented for 6 weeks, the most essential items are in bold.
Needs Assessment and Analysis
Method
The following breakdown is the result of an analysis of case studies of other, nearby cities, collaboration with community partners and volunteers, direct engagement with the currently unhoused population, a review of the most common complaints submitted on see click fix and verbalized in community forums, and recommended, evidence-based, best practices.
Waste Management
There are a number of elements that contribute to the accumulation of garbage around encampments. Previous, city-sponsored garbage intervention programs have relied on residents placing garbage into bags and depositing them in a set location for occasional pick up.
The unhoused community in collaboration with community partners have completed an informal needs assessment and analysis, which gives insight into why these previous efforts did not meet the goals. In order for a debris mediation program to be successful, the following contributing factors must be addressed:
Frequency of Garbage Pick Up
Previous, city-sponsored garbage programs have been done on a sporadic pick-up schedule, responding to only a few locations each month. On average, households require weekly garbage pickup to maintain health and safety standards. Recommendation: the city of Vallejo collaborates with Recology to ensure that garbage is picked up on a weekly basis to prevent excessive accumulation in between pickups.
Garbage Containment
In the past, garbage intervention strategies have relied on bags for waste containment.
However, bagged garbage is at risk of being ripped open by pickers and animals. Even intact bags attract insects. Recommendation: dumpsters and/or garbage bins should be provided at each location as well as bags.
Accessibility Challenges Related to Disability
According to last year's PIT count, 27% of unhoused people have either a developmental or physical disability. Individuals with mental, behavioral, and physical handicaps require accommodations to be able to adhere to health and safety policies. Recommendation: city management collaborates with existing community partners and the currently unhoused community to provide garbage management support for those who need it in between pick-ups.
Food Storage
Unhoused people who are not able to cook rely on pre-prepared food. Without secure food storage, food attracts pests, and the food and packaging is quickly scattered around the
surrounding area by wind and scavenging animals. Recommendation: storage bins with lids that lock closed should be provided for residents who need them.
Dumping
Housed residents have historically used encampments for dumping purposes.
Recommendation: the Vallejo Police Department provides outreach and education to encourage effective reporting of dumping by encampment residents, and other preventative interventions are implemented where appropriate, such as anti-dumping signs.
Pests
Historical lack of access to garbage management often attracts an excessive number of pests in certain locations. Recommendation: Pest control measures such as rodent traps and other environmentally safe interventions are provided when appropriate.
Crime
The public has historically asserted that encampments are associated with increased criminal activity, including but not limited to arson and drug dealing. As of yet, there has been no effort to compile factual data to support the necessity for an encampment-specific, crime intervention policy.. Recommendation: the Vallejo Police Department responds to such reports with robust investigation and responds as appropriate on a case-by-case basis in accordance with section 2 of Vallejo’s existing Administrative Rule 7.10. In addition, the Vallejo Police Department provides outreach to encampments in order to encourage reporting.
Fire
Unhoused people who do not have access to traditional cooking and/or heating methods may rely on flame to meet their basic survival needs. Recommendation: the fire department distributes fire extinguishers to high-risk encampments and provides outreach and education on fire safety.
Enforcement of Policies
The most successful programs encourage community enforcement of best practices and policies. Recommendation: the city of Vallejo collaborates with community partners in order to make use of existing encampment leadership, as well as to coordinate the targeted implementation of existing, nonprofit programs, including but not limited to organizations that provide resident compensation for garbage management, organizations that have existing neighborhood clean-up programs, organizations that provide support to survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking, faith based organizations, and organizations made up of people with lived experience.
Coordination and Collaboration
The city of Vallejo is in a unique position to swiftly identify concerns associated with specific locations due to its See Click Fix program. Recommendation: when reports come in, the city communicates these concerns with all participating community partners and public entities so that a rapid, targeted response can be deployed.
Research and Development
When camp management programs come up, some members of the public react with skepticism. However, the public cannot be expected to independently research evidence-based practices. While an encampment management program may seem daunting, there are many examples of successful programs in surrounding cities. All programs implement the same, basic strategies as outlined above (see “Citations” section below). Referencing existing programs is the best way to make use of existing resources and avoid costly and ineffective “guess and check” strategies. Recommendation: city management refers to evidence-based strategies during the development of encampment management programs.
Citations
• Oakland’s official Encampment Management Program
o https://www.oaklandca.gov/Community/The-Unhoused-
Community/Homelessness-and-Encampment-
Response#:~:text=The%20City%27s%20Public%20Works%20crews,locations% 20and%20servicing%20schedule%20below
o https://www.oaklandca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/human- services/documents/unhoused/encampment-management-policy-88341-cms.pdf o https://www.oaklandca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/human- services/documents/unhoused/encampment-clean-up-schedule-web-120525.pdf o “The City's Public Works crews visit dozens of known encampments throughout the city on a weekly basis to conduct trash removal and garbage cart, porta potty and hand wash station servicing.”
• San Jose’s Encampment Management Press Coverage
o https://sanjosespotlight.com/in-san-jose-homeless-camp-services-vary-by- location/#:~:text=described%20two%20of%20these%20camps,as%20%E2%80 %9Cupper%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9Clower%E2%80%9D%20Woz o “...the police… did a really good job cleaning up and kicking out bad people,” Tim told San José Spotlight.
o “Encampment hygiene services are coordinated by BeautifySJ and the Housing Department’s Homeless Response Team. According to Daniel Lazo, spokesperson for San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, utilities such as dumpsters, port-a-potties and hand washing stations are provided to the largest encampment sites within the city.” o “The city is very supportive,” Osmer said. “When I ask for dumpsters and port-a- potties or cases of bottled water, they provide it.”
• San Jose’s official Encampment Management Program
o https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks- recreation-neighborhood-services/beautifysj/encampment-management-
program#:~:text=Launched%20in%20November%202020%2C%20the,up%20to %20%2440%20a%20week
o “Code of conduct guidelines to help keep our shared community safe. ▪ Encampment is kept within a 12x12x12 area or within a lived-in vehicle (no items on the roof, under, or outside of the vehicle) ▪ Public right-of-way is not blocked by the encampment or trash ▪ Trash is set out for pickup
▪ Biowaste is properly stored”
o “The Cash for Trash Program helps battle blight in San José by incentivizing unhoused residents to pick up trash at encampments. Unhoused residents can exchange their collected trash for pre-loaded, fee-free debit cards.” o “Interagency coordination is aimed at keeping San José clean by providing cross- jurisdictional coordination around trash/blight activities, and ensuring good communication with and response from external partners such as Caltrans, Union Pacific, Valley Water, Santa Clara County, and PG&E.” • Cash for Trash Program: San Diego
o https://www.luckyduckfoundation.org/cash-for-
trash#:~:text=Foundation%20www,clean%20up%20and%20dispose o ““Cash for Trash” enables homeless individuals to earn $2 for every bag of trash they clean up and dispose of. More than 200 tons of trash have been removed.” o “The idea behind this program came in part from an individual living on the streets who said, “If we had a place to put our trash, we’d clean up after ourselves.””
• Down Town Streets Program: San Rafael, Oakland, San Jose, Novato o https://downtownsanrafael.org/downtown-streets-
2024/#:~:text=neighbors%20found%20a%20place%20to,of%20all%2C%20is%2 0that%2093
o “Our Team Members, volunteer work experience program participants, also expanded efforts to support their peers experiencing homelessness throughout our San Rafael communities by increasing outreach and clean-up services at designated encampment sites, which resulted in a grand total of 168,325 gallons of debris being removed from the Downtown and Canal areas of San Rafael.” • California jurisdictions provide stipends to encampment “leaders” who organize waste disposal within their camps
o https://calrecycle.ca.gov/illegaldump/homelesscamp/#:~:text=,waste%20manage ment%20in%20an%20encampment
o https://calrecycle.ca.gov/illegaldump/homelesscamp/#SolidWaste o Garbage Management:
▪ “Provision of collection containers for solid waste. Ideally these containers should be large enough that residents cannot easily relocate the containers and can be secured by locking lids. Containers without locking lids will provide access to the refuse for scavengers and animals, while locking the containers at set times can reduce the use of the containers.” ▪ “Weekly pickup of waste is needed to minimize fly breeding, while more frequent pickup will reduce scavenging from the containers. “ o Dumping Prevention:
▪ “Complete an analysis of what factors made the site attractive. Was the site secluded from public view? Were there trees, underbrush, abandoned structures, that served as protection from visibility and/or shelter from the elements? Was water (potable and/or non-potable) readily available? Was the site under routine enforcement agency
surveillance? This type of analysis can then be used to develop measures to prevent reoccurrence of the encampment.”
▪ “Use community organizations and volunteers to identify public areas that need to be cleaned of rubbish/illegal dumping and then perform community clean-ups of the mapped locations.
▪ “Maximize illegal dumping enforcement and abatement in closed encampment sites.”
• Urban Compassion Project: Oakland
o https://urbancompassionproject.org/
o “In 2025 alone, UCP and 2000+ volunteers, in collaboration with our unhoused neighbors, have removed over 650 tons of trash from our streets. We combine these large-scale cleanups with ongoing maintenance through our Homeless Ambassador Program and partnerships with neighborhoods and local businesses to improve enforcement and prevent future dumping.”
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This Message Is From an External Sender
This message came from outside your organization.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:01Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:01Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:01Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:01 PM Pacific Standard TimePM Pacific Standard TimePM Pacific Standard TimePM Pacific Standard Time Subject:Subject:Subject:Subject: FW: Navigation Center Hosting the Warming Center Date:Date:Date:Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 4:32:59 PM Pacific Standard Time From:From:From:From: Dawn Abrahamson
To:To:To:To: Manny Angel
Attachments:Attachments:Attachments:Attachments:image001.png, image002.png, image003.png, image004.jpg, image005.png, image006.png Another supplemental agenda material to upload to the website.
Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC
City Clerk
City of Vallejo | City Clerk’s Office
Office: (707) 648-4528| [email protected] Cell: (707) 334-2931
IIMC President 2025-2026
International Institute of Municipal Clerks https://www.iimc.com/
From:From:From:From: Vallejo Homeless Union <[email protected]> Sent:Sent:Sent:Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4:28 PM
To:To:To:To: Andrea Sorce <[email protected]>; Nalungo Conley <[email protected]>; Andrew Murray <[email protected]>; JR Matulac <[email protected]>; Charles Palmares <[email protected]>; Helen-Marie Gordon <[email protected]>; Tonia Lediju <[email protected]>; Alexander MaUas <[email protected]>; Peter Bregenzer <[email protected]>; Dawn Abrahamson <[email protected]> Subject:Subject:Subject:Subject: NavigaUon Center HosUng the Warming Center The Vallejo Homeless Union would like to respond to the proposal to give funding to the navigation center so that they can sponsor a warming center. Some of the main reasons people cannot use warming centers is because they can't get toZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
The Vallejo Homeless Union would like to respond to the proposal to give funding to the navigation center so that they can sponsor a warming center.
Some of the main reasons people cannot use warming centers is because they can't get to the location, they can't leave their stu\ or it will be stolen, and centers do not allow pets.
Last year nobody even knew that there was a warming center open, nobody could get there, and there wasn't even any furniture set up or anything to do. No pets and no storage.
This year we are halfway through the winter and there is still nothing available for people.
With that in mind, we recognize that the Navigation Center has a lot of advantages to o\er 2 of 3
as a warming center.
The Navigation Center is already set up to take pets and to store belongings, and there is already a TV and a kitchen. There are other services, too, like showers and laundry that we hope people will be able to use. We also like that people might get a chance to get in the system to get housing if they aren't already. Word will spread when it is open because the people who already live there will tell others. We especially appreciate that the Navigation Center will be able to take people as soon as January 15th: getting people out of the cold is the top priority.
However, we have many concerns about the details of this plan, not only related to its execution, but also how and why this plan was developed in the first place.
1. Nobody discussed this idea with anyone living in the Navigation Center or with the Union before this plan was developed. They are asking if they will have to give up or move their beds. They were told no, that people are going to be on the floor.
2. The people who already live at the Navigation Center are very concerned about how these extra people are going to be accommodated. The consensus is that the sta\ can't handle the people they are in there now. The biggest complaints we hear as is are about inadequate case management and security issues, like theft. For the warming center, people are worried about whether these issues will get worse. They are also worried about whether people who come who have a lot of special needs, like serious mental disorders, or dementia, are going to be supported.
3. The 20 person maximum capacity is not enough. We have more people than that waiting to get into the navigation center as it is.
4. The limited hours are unreasonable for people who are living outside. Why do they need to get there at a certain time to get out of the cold?
5. Will volunteers and outside organizations be allowed to help out and give donations when the warming center is open? Can people donate clean clothes for those who need to take a shower, for example, like they have when they use the mobile showers at faith food Fridays?
6. This process was rushed due to mismanagement, and it shouldn't have been. All of the above items should have been discussed with the community and worked out before now.
Because of these issues, we support this idea but only as an emergency measure, for this season only, and only if the questions and concerns of the people who will actually be using the Navigation Center when it is a warming center will be addressed. We need to get people out of the cold now. After this winter is over we request that this program be 3 of 3
reviewed and that the plan for a warming center will be revised and changed as necessary.
The city and 5 keys must adapt their programs to the feedback from the actual people who have to live outside.
Sincerely,
Shawn OMalley
President
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This Message Is From an External Sender
This message came from outside your organization.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:14Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:14Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:14Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:59:14 PM Pacific Standard TimePM Pacific Standard TimePM Pacific Standard TimePM Pacific Standard Time Subject:Subject:Subject:Subject: FW: Integrity of the PIT Count Date:Date:Date:Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:06:18 PM Pacific Standard Time From:From:From:From: Dawn Abrahamson
To:To:To:To: Manny Angel
Attachments:Attachments:Attachments:Attachments:image001.png, image002.png, image003.png, image004.jpg, image005.png, image006.png Please upload to the website as supplemental materials near tonight’s regular meeting agenda.
Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC
City Clerk
City of Vallejo | City Clerk’s Office
Office: (707) 648-4528| [email protected] Cell: (707) 334-2931
IIMC President 2025-2026
International Institute of Municipal Clerks https://www.iimc.com/
From:From:From:From: David Lindsay <[email protected]> Sent:Sent:Sent:Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 5:05 PM
To:To:To:To: Andrea Sorce <[email protected]>; Tonia Lediju <[email protected]>; Peter Bregenzer <[email protected]>; Charles Palmares <[email protected]>; JR Matulac <[email protected]>; Alexander MaPas <[email protected]>; Helen-Marie Gordon <[email protected]>; Andrew Murray <[email protected]>; Nalungo Conley <[email protected]>; Dawn Abrahamson <[email protected]>
Subject:Subject:Subject:Subject: Integrity of the PIT Count I am a member of Common Ground, a broad-based community organizing organization and a leader of Common Ground's Homelessness Prevention and Housing team. We are supporting measures to keep people in their homes and increase the supply ofZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
I am a member of Common Ground, a broad-based community organizing organization and a leader of Common Ground's Homelessness Prevention and Housing team. We are supporting measures to keep people in their homes and increase the supply of a_ordable housing in our county. Our city needs to have the data to provide the proper response to the homelessness crisis. Common Ground supports the letter from the Community of Care andJPA CAP Solano to pause the sweeps in the weeks prior to and after the PIT count. The city needs to approve a version of the supplementary encampment management plan that was proposed by local community organizations to address health and safety concerns associated with the pause.
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As I am sure you are aware, the accuracy of the PIT count has an impact on the funding the city will receive for homelessness response.
Thank you!
David Lindsay
Common Ground Housing Team