It is estimated that 1,200 people are now in the tent city in Sacramento’s American River Parkway, as reported by this story from Britain.
An excerpt.
“Sacramento has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the United States.
"As many as 50 people a week arrive at the tent city and the authorities estimate it is now home to more than 1,200 people…
“The city and county of Sacramento have already received $34 million to help fight the effects of the foreclosure crisis but, in the meantime, hundreds of people have moved into the shelters.
“Authorities in Sacramento, where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has his office, are suffering as the state has a £30billion deficit and the tent city looks like becoming a permanent fixture.
"I can't say tent cities are the answer to the homeless population in Sacramento," Kevin Johnson, Sacramento's mayor said, "but I think it's one of the many things that should be considered and looked at.'
This local story from CBS 13 News has more details and photos.
An excerpt.
“Mayor Kevin Johnson says he knows the crisis is growing.
"They're along the American River Parkway camped out in ways we don't feel comfortable, and there's hazards because of waste and fire and police can't get in as readily as they would like," says Mayor Johnson.
“That's why he says the area should consider regulating an official "Tent City" site.
"Phoenix has a tent city," says Mayor Johnson." Seeing it in Phoenix and other cities, are things we need to look at."
“So that's what CBS13 did, we went looking for that Phoenix homeless tent city that the Mayor is talking about.
“CBS13 called the county, the city and outreach organizations. They all say it doesn't exist anymore. The only "Tent City" in Phoenix houses inmates for the county jail.
“But, CBS13 did find a regulated "Tent City" for the homeless in Ontario, California.
“90 men and women live there and taxpayers are footing the bill.
"We're spending two to three thousand dollars a month to rent the portable showers, the port-a-potties. We have mulch down, and we have trash pickup," says Schultz.”
And here is an excellent slide show of photos.
