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Chico City Council votes on homeless sheltering proposals

February 11, 2021 Ken Smith News 0

Protesters on site during homeless encampment sweep Feb. 4. (Photo by Ken Smith)

During its Feb. 2 meeting, the Chico City Council boosted the continued efforts of the Chico Housing Action Team (CHAT) to provide shelter for unhoused individuals. The council approved $282,933 of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funding for CHAT, which hopes to develop the Town House Motel on the Esplanade into a non-congregate shelter with up to 30 units.

The council also decided to continue exploring turning city-owned property near the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds (currently home to Silver Dollar BMX) into a sanctioned camping area. The panel rejected (5-2, along party lines) a “safe car park” proposal (by a group called the North State Shelter Team) that would allow those living in automobiles to spend the night in designated lots.

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