HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-2012 B1 EastmanAGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Date 2 J z JUL 10 2012
Sleeping/Parking SLO City Council Mtg July 10, 201
Rev. Cynthia Rae Eastman
The nation is in a state of crisis concerning record numbers of families who are homeless and
many of our neighbors in SLO are experiencing this same financial disaster. In spite of current
upheaval concerning parking issues, I have great faith that our community can create a model
program to solve this situation, which could then be replicated across the country. By working
together collaboratively, I know that our local government (such as the City Council),
businesses, the faith -based community, HSOC, & Cal Poly can create a self - sustaining system
that will be successful.
In reference to the parking situation in our community, the underlying issue is that as a result of a
shortage of funds, a lot of our neighbors are ending up un- housed and do not have a place to
sleep. The reality is that the approximate 200 shelter beds in our county cannot even
accommodate the estimated 1000 + children under the age of 18 who are experiencing
homelessness, let alone the women & men. People must have a place to sleep. (I brought my
pillow to highlight that this discussion about parking is actually an issue of finding a place where
people can safely sleep).
If there are to be laws in place concerning where people are allowed to sleep then they need to
apply to ALL citizens. For example, no more permitting folks to campout on Black Fridays,
waiting for the stores to open or kids lining up in tents hoping to get Harry Potter movie tickets.
Personally, as someone who has experienced homelessness, I would suggest starting with a
sliding fee scale campground and from there begin working on building a sustainable Cottage
Community Co -op. Because every person's situation and goals are different, case management
needs to work closely with people concerning various housing options. These are not "one size
fits all" solutions. I would also like to make the observation that many retirees choose the RV
lifestyle. However, in the case of RV owners who are living in poverty, they often cannot afford
the current cost of lot rentals, thus they are actually landless rather than homeless & should not
arbitrarily be forced into saving funds for traditional housing.
If we had an earthquake or wildfire, a natural disaster that in an instant made nearly 4,000 men,
women, & children homeless in our city, how would we handle that? Here's our opportunity to
find out, by quickly housing the fmnilies who are experiencing homelessness now due to an
economic disaster.
Ultimately, our community needs more affordable housing options in the form of RV lots,
apartments, and houses.
Let's be sure that we are all working together to create a SLO that is indeed the "Happiest City in
America" for all of our residents regardless of socio- economic status.
Anyone wishing to contact me about this issue can reach me through my nonprofit's website @
commongroundworldwide.org
Housing -4 -All
"Teen Build" is a growing grassroots movement of teenage
volunteers who are helping to end homelessness by building
small sustainable 'houses for people, who are currently un-
housed. "Teen Build"' is the vision of Kendoll Ronzano, a high
school student from Santa Cruz, California, who is the
founder of "Nerd Girl Homes."
Housing-4-All
www.commongroundworldwide.org
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