A growing number of cities are clearing homeless camps—sometimes without offering a place for people to go. Is that enforcement… or displacement? #HomelessnessPolicy#UrbanCrisis#christianforums#crosswalkforums#forums#crosswalk#faithcommunity#faithforums
Tensions are rising in San Jose after police arrested more than a dozen people at a homeless encampment located near a temporary shelter site. City officials say the sweep was necessary for public safety, but critics argue it’s another example of criminalizing poverty—especially since not everyone was offered housing before being removed.
The situation reflects a broader national trend: urban areas enforcing anti-camping laws while lacking enough shelter beds or long-term housing solutions. Many say they’re stuck between resident complaints and the logistical realities of rising homelessness.
Is it fair—or even legal—for cities to clear encampments without offering alternative shelter? Should public health and safety override the rights of those living on the streets?
What’s the humane path forward—and who should be responsible for it?
“We can’t keep pushing the problem around and pretending it disappears.”
It is a complex problem.
Some of the homeless are dependant on handouts, while others are in full time work, but cannot afford to rent with in a reasonable distance of their work.
There are then the poor, often with other problems making them both vunerable and dependant as well as the employed unable to aford rent.
How should they be dealt with?
Should housing companies be encouraged to create smaller, cheaper properties so the low paid workers can rnt them.
Should the state help those unable to work because of mental issues, addiction etc etc?
What is the motivating morality of society? is it always cash or is ther another factor?
But the mess they leave is a hazard, producing infestation of rats in the area where paying citizens live. The pooping and lack of sanitation, the started in area where people are working to pay off their own morgage is a huge problem.
One of the issues is Mental illnes.
If you are not mentally ill and are an abled body, then work.
Finding a solution for the mentally ill and drug abuse may be the first way to handle this problem. They can be sheltered by night but leave in the mornting. If people have at least a place to be sheltered then the streets may have a better chance of staying clean.
So yes something must be done about this issue. Because people are getting bolder and bolder about letting it all hang out. To being in the streets stopping traffic to destroying residential areas where people work hard to live in.
However taking action without a plan is never a good ideal.
But give an inch and where I live..people have taken a mile.
At least we are having a diaogue. An immediate solution is being involved with your local church services, food banks and homeless shelters. I will address my backyard because every town is different.
NM lacks solutions for treating mental illness and drug addiction. In Santa Fe (SF) & Albuquerque (Abq) homeless shelters, the major issue is drugs/fentanyl. In Abq there were tiny homes-village built but only half were occupied because of the weekly drug testing requirement.
City, State and Federal entities are all playing different roles. High home costs/rents are another contibutor. SF developers are required to build some low-cost housing but it is not enough and SF is landlocked driving prices
In NM, at the end of the day, it is about the State’s priorities. NM, out of the U.S., has one of the richest counties-Los Alamos, 3rd highest tourist City-SF and the highest crime city-Abq!! While among the poorest of the U.S. in incomes, NM is actually one of the richest in States’ budgets - due to oil $$. The Governor can’t find ways to spend the surplus money (free college & free childcare). Why we aren’t spending more on treatment is beyond me.
Personally, I have been working with drug addicts and sharing the gospel, but it is hard to compete with a $5 pill that keeps you happy for 1/2 the day. I keep trying.
started in area where people are working to pay off their own morgage is a huge problem.
