>> COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT", WE'LL HAVE THE STORY IN DETAIL SUR ROUNDING A FATAL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN HOOPA.

ALSO IS THE STATE FINALLY GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE INTERVIEW NEZZIE WADE WITH AHHA ABOUT HOUSING PROJECTS AND A NEED TO PROVIDE A REVIEW.

COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".

FROM THE TOP OF OF HUMBOLDT HILL, I'M JAMES FAULK.

IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ALL PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS HAVE TO ADHERE PUT FORTH IN THE CEQA.

DEVELOPERS POINT TO THIS LAW AS A SPECIAL CASE OF REGULATORY OVERREACH AND ASCRIBE MANY OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING SUPPLY AND FORGOT ISSUES IN THE STATE TO CONSIDER ITS OVERZEALOUS STANDARDS.

CALIFORNIA DOES HAVE STRICT ENVIRONMENTAL RULES AND CEQA HAS A LONG LIST OF SPECIFIC CONSTRAINTS IT PUTS ON DEVELOPERS TO CONTROL POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THEIR IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE RECENTLY VOTED TO SUSPEND SOME OF THE CEQA HURDLES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS SHOWS HOW DIRE THE SITUATION IS GETTING AND DEMONSTRATES THE STATE'S GOVERNMENT DETERMINATION TO GET SOME PROJECTS MOVING.

FOR POOR TO MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA, REPRESENTS HAVE GONE UP WHILE HOME PRICES HAVE EXPLODED AND LEFT MANY FOLKS OUT OF LUCK IN TERMS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP.

FOR THE HOMELESS IT MAKES THE PROSPECT OF GETTING BACK ON YOUR FEET MORE INTIMIDATING AND DIFFICULT.

WE SPEAK WITH NEZZIE WADE FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALTERNATIVES TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK IT IS DOING AND THE NEW CHANGE TO CEQA MIGHT HELP.

FIRST, HEADLINES.

A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER IN HOOPA, LAST SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17.

THE CASE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

7:30 A.M. THAT MORNING A CHP OFFICER AND SHERIFF WERE ON THE STATE HIGHWAY AND SPOTTED A CAR.

WHEN THE CHP OFFICER TRIED TO MAKE A STOP, THE JETTA REFUSED TO YIELD.

THE OFFICER BEGAN PURSUIT WITH THE DEPUTY FOLLOWING.

THE DRIVER PLED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK OFF IN THE WOODS.

AFTER A FOOT CHASE THAT LASTED 200 YARDS THE TWO GOT INTO A VIOLENT ALTERCATION.

DETAILS ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT THE RESPONSE TEAM SAYS THE OFFICER DEPLOYED HIS TASER BEFORE SHOOTING THE SUSPECT.

THE DRIVER HAS NOT BEEN NAMED AND SUFFERED SEVERAL GUNSHOT WOUND AND DIED AT THE SCENE.

THE OFFICER SUSTAIN A BITE WOUND.

THE SHERIFF CONTACTED TWO ADULT FEMALE OCCUPANTS, BOTH WERE DETAINED AND RELEASED AT PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

THE CRITICAL RESPONSE TEAM IS LED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

DURING THE SEARCH OF THE JETTA THERE WAS A LOADED FIREARM, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND AN OPEN CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL.

THE DRIVER'S IDENTITY WILL BE LEASED AFTER AN AUTOPSY.

THE OFFICER'S NAME WILL BE RELEASED AS SOON AS IT CAN BE.

THE CHP OFFICER WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A BODY CAMERA.

AS LONG AS WE ARE ON THE SUBJECT OF DEADLY DESPICABLE CRIMES WE WOULDN'T WANT TO LEAVE EUREKA OUT.

THEY WANT SOMEONE FROM A HOMICIDE THAT OCCURRED ON THE 2nd.

OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A WEST SEW NURSING HOMA STREET ADDRESS AFTER A CALL REPORTING A FIGHT.

27-YEAR-OLD HOLLAND ELBIG WAS IN MEDICAL DISTRESS.

SHE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES AS A RESULT OF A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION BETWEEN HER AND HER ROOMMATE AND A FRIEND OF THE ROOMMATE.

SHE DIED OF HER WOUNDS.

AN ARREST WARRANT HAS BEENISHED FOR A 20-YEAR-OLD WOMAN 5'6", WITH DARK HAIR AND BLUE EYES.

CALL 441-4044 OR DIAL 911.

PEOPLE ASK NOT TO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT OR APPREHEND RAMIE AS SHE IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

JARED HUFFMAN WENT VIRAL WHEN HE HAD A CONVERSATION THAT CAUGHT PEOPLE'S ATTENTION.

IT WAS A HEARING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTEGIG.

HE DELIVERED THE SCROLL OTO PULL HIS NAME OF LEGISLATION THE TWO WERE PUTTING FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THE CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> THIS ONE IS CALLED AUTUMN, SIR.

>> I'M SORRY?

>> THIS IS CALLED AUTUMN.

>> I'M SORRY.

I COULDN'T MAKE OUT WHAT YOU SAID.

>> THIS CLIMATE CHANGE IS CALLED AUTUMN.

>> THAT IS THE SEASON CHANGED WITH RESPECTFULLY IS NOT THE SAME AS THE CLIMATE CHANGING.

SOMEBODY HOPING TO RETIRE IN THE 2050s AND KIDS OLD ENOUGH TO ASK ME WHETHER WE DID ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE OR WHETHER WE DID WHAT WAS CONVENIENT, I TAKE THAT REALLY SERIOUSLY.

>> RECLAIMING MY TIME.

THANK YOU MR. SECRETARY.

THE TRILLIONS AND TRILLIONS THAT IT WILL COST OUR KIDS TO CHASE A TINY PERCENTAGE OF CO2 WILL BANKRUPT ALL OF US, BANKRUPT OUR ECONOMY AND SHIP IT TO CHINA FOR ALL THE OTHER REASONS.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA MR. HUFFMAN.

>> MR. SECRETARY, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU CAN SEE I SERVE IN CONGRESS WITH SOME OF THE GREATEST MINDS OF THE 19th CENTURY.

>> THE 19th CENTURY.

THUS THE ROLLED SCROLL AND DEAR JOHN LETTER BETWEEN COMMERCE MEMBERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME NEZZIE WADE TO THE SHOW FOR AHHA HUMBOLDT.

WHAT IS AHHA HUMBOLDT?

>> AHHA IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOME ALTERNATIVES.

IT IS A GOOD IDEA.

IT IS ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD IDEA.

IT HAS BEEN A REAL CHALLENGING ONE AND AN UPHILL STRUGGLE TO TRY AND IMPLEMENT THESE KINDS OF MODELS.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

AHHA WAS FOUNDED IN 2014.

WE -- SMALL CLUSTER OF PEOPLE, CO-FOUNDERS DEBORAH CAREY NOW IN RETIMPLT, JIM -- WHO PASSED AWAY AND MYSELF ARE THE CO-FOUNDERS WITH A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE IN 2024 DECIDED WE WOULD BECOME AHHA AND STRIVE TO BE A NONPROFIT AND AS OUR FIRST GOAL BROUGHT ANDREW HEBEN FROM OREGON, FROM OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE, THE PRIMARY MODEL WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IMPLEMENT, MICROHOUSE VILLAGE CO-MANAGED BY RESIDENTS AND A NONPROFIT.

OUR VISION IS THAT EVERY PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO A SAFE, LEGAL PLACE TO LIVE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND FROM THERE, WE DEVELOPED A MISSION.

WHICH IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION, DIRECT SERVICES AND ADVOCACY, AS WELL AS PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT FOR AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES.

AND THAT IS WHY WORKING WITH CITIES, COUNTIES, ALL KIND OF INDIVIDUALS AND ADVOCATES, ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN BY PARTNERING WITH THEM.

>> SO YOUR PLAN IS TO -- THE IDEA IS TO BUILD HOUSING AND PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED LOCATION WHERE THESE DEVELOPMENTS MIGHT BE -- >> YES.

IT WOULD BE -- OH -- IT WOULD BE A COMMUNAL SETTING, WHICH IS WHAT MAKES IT AFFORDABLE, HENCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

RESIDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT ALONG WITH THE NONPROFIT.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ORGANIZATION FOR DECISION MAKING AND BRINGING THINGS FORWARD, CREATING THE AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO LIVE TOGETHER AND CREATE COMMUNITY.

SO WE'RE MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAN WE ARE, QUOTE, THE TRADITIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH HOING DEVELOPERS BECAUSE WE NEED A CONTINUUM OF HOUSING.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST ENTRY LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME STABILIZE FROM HOMELESSNESS AND FROM THERE AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME OF HEALING AND HEALTH AND BUILDING EQUITY AND GETTING THE SUPPORT SERVICES AND THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED, THEY CAN MOVE ON TO OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> IS IT A HOUSING FIRST MODEL?

HOUSE PEOPLE FIRST BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO REBUILD?

>> IT IS A HOUSING FIRST MODEL.

IT IS VERY LOW BARRIER.

THAT IS THE POINT.

A LOT OF THE OPPORTUNITIES PEOPLE HAVE ARE NOT LOW BARRIER.

THEY HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WE UNDERSTAND IT IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT ISN'T ALL OF THIS INFORMATION ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS REALLY NOT ADDRESSING THE PEOPLE WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE ALTERNATIVES FOR.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE MOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS YOU HAVE TO HAVE SO MUCH INCOME TO GET IN AND CAN'T GO BEYOND A CERTAIN POINT AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY CAN'T SIMPLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

IT HAS TO BE SUBSIDIZED.

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

THE COSTS ARE PASSED ON TO ALL OF US.

BUT THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

AS LONG AS THE STATE CONTINUES TO MAKE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, WE ARE GOING KEEP TRYING TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND WE SHOULD.

WE NEED HOUSING, BUT WE ALSO NEED EVEN WITH THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I WAS READING AN ARTICLE FROM THE HOUSING COALITION, LOW-INCOME HOUSING COALITION THAT SAYS WITH ALL OF THESE, WITH MIXED-INCOME HOUSING AND THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WE MIGHT GET 1 TO 6 OR 2 TO 4 MILLION HOMES AND INCOME RESTRICTED HOME FOR PEOPLE OF EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

STILL, THAT IS A VERY SMALL NUMBER IN COMPARISON TO THE NEED.

AND THE AFFORDABILITY ISSUE.

>> YEAH.

NOW, IF WE CAN GO BACK TO 2014 WHEN YOU STARTED THE GROUP, THAT WAS AROUND THE TIME THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND ISSUES WERE GOING ON.

I WAS STRUCK AT THE TIME THAT EUREKA AND THE BAY AREA OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAD A HABIT OF HERDING GROUPS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE AROUND.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN THE SOUTH JETTY.

THEY WERE MOVED OUT OF THAT AREA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP, BUT THEY MOVED INTO THE BAYSIDE AREA BEHIND THE MALL AND THAT EVOLVED INTO DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND AND THOSE FOLKS WERE MOVED OUT AND THERE ARE PEOPLE OVER BY THE SLEW.

THERE IS NO REAL SOLUTION FOR PROVIDING A PERMANENT PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO SAY.

BETTY CHEN HAS ESTABLISHED A SITE.

A LIVABLE SITE CLEN AND MANAGED BY THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE THEMSELVES >> WITH OVERSIGHT, NOT OVERSIGHT, BUT PARTNERSHIP FROM US AND OTHER PEOPLE, ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

AND IN CREATING COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IMPROVES THE COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE FOR PEOPLE TO BE STABLE AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND IT ISN'T JUST ONE PLACE.

WE STARTED OUT BEING A COUNTYWIDE ORGANIZATION.

OUR BOARD REPRESENTED REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOUTH COUNTY TO NORTH COUNTY.

OUR SERVICES ARE MOBILE SHOWER AND CARAVAN WENT FROM NORTH TO SOUTH COUNTY AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

WE REALLY NEED THIS THROUGHOUT HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> NOT JUST ONE IN EACH LOCATION.

PEOPLE WHO ARE HOUSELESS HERE ORIGINATED HERE.

THEY HAVE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

AND THEY WOULD PROBABLY, MANY OF THEM, LIKE TO BE CLOSE TO PEOPLE, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THERE FOR THEM.

MAJOR ACCESS TO FOOD AND SERVICES ARE IN THE LOCATIONS LIKE EUREKA AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

SO BEING ABLE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY WHERE THAT CAN BE PROVIDED ONSITE BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, IT'S A LOT ABOUT MUTUAL AID.

>> YEAH.

>> PEOPLE ARE NOT REALLY INCLINED TO WANT TO FEEL DEPENDENT ON SERVICES.

THEY REALLY LIKE TO DO THINGS THEMSELVES.

SO WANTING TO CREATE A COMMUNITY WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH WOMAN THEY LIVE THAT THEY DEPENDED ON AND SURVIVING IN RELATIONSHIP, TOO, STILL WANT TO DO THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT IS WHAT ANDREW HEBEN, THE YOUNG PLANNER FROM EUGENE, OREGON, WHO WROTE THE BOOK TENT CITY URBANISM.

THAT IS WHAT HE EXPERIENCED WHEN HE TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY LIVING IN HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

HE TOOK THE BEST PRACTICES OF WHAT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO THRIVE AND BE TOGETHER.

THEY WERE CONSTANTLY BEING UPROOTED.

TO TAKE THAT AND MOVE PEOPLE INTO AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD GIVE THEM THE LEGALITY OF BEING ABLE TO STAY IN COMMUNITY AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ALL OF THAT.

AND SO WE BROUGHT THEM HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS ON ACCESS HUMBOLDT, THERE IS A PROGRAM, IT IS A LENGTHY PROGRAM.

IT IS ANDREW HEBEN'S PRESENTATION WHEN WE BROUGHT HIM HERE.

>> HOW DO YOU SPELL HEBEN?

>> H-E-B-E-N. >> IT IS AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM.

WE WILL PUT SOME VIGNETTES ON OUR WEBSITE OR LINK TO IT SO PEOPLE CAN GET A GOOD DOSE OF THAT.

THE STATE IS A PROBLEM FOR US AND THE DEFINITION OF HOUSING AND SHELTER BECAUSE WHAT THE STATE IS WILLING TO FUND IS RELATED TO HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS.

>> YEAH.

>> IF IT ISN'T BRICK AND MORTAR AND DOESN'T MEET CONSTRUCTION CODE REQUIREMENTS AND ALL OF THAT, THEN IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO.

THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF MAKING THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR REALIZES NOW THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING BETWEEN THE STREETS AND LOW-INCOME HOUSING.

AND IN MARCH AT CALL EXPO, HE MADE A PRESENTATION, BROUGHT IN ALL THE PEOPLE FROM THE STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE THINGS AND SAID HE WANTS CITIES AND COUNTIES TO WORK TOGETHER WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS AND SOMETIMES LITTLE NONPROFITS LIKE US DON'T GET ANY PLAY IN THE MIX BECAUSE THEY'RE SO USED TO DEALING IN BIG DOLLARS WITH BIG ORGANIZATIONS AND DEVELOPERS AND SO FORTH.

WE ARE JUST SAYING, HEY, THESE THINGS CAN BE DONE, NOT REALLY WITH SO MUCH EXPENSE.

IT IS GOING BE EXPENSIVE NO MATTER WHAT WHEN YOU START DOING SOMETHING.

>> YEAH.

>> THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE IS THE GOVERNOR PRESENTED THREE COUNTIES, SAN DIEGO, SACRAMENTO AND SANTA CLARA WITH 300 TINY HOUSES EACH AND GAVE A PORTION OF CALL EXPO UP PROPERTY-WISE FOR THEM TO STEP IN AND START CREATING A VILLAGE.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE HE KNOWS THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

NOW, WE ARE NOT INTERESTED, PERSONALLY, IN A VILLAGE OF 300.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE KIND OF COMMUNITY.

IN ANDREW'S EXPERIENCE AND OUR EXPERIENCE OF BEING WITH PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES OF 25 OR 30 PEOPLE ARE A GOOD NETWORK.

THEY CAN GET A LOT OF THE BUSINESS OF LIVING THAT NEEDS TO GET TAKEN CARE OF BY DISTRIBUTES THE RESPONSIBILITIES.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THEY KNOW, WHEN THEY WERE IN THE MARSH, WITH DID A SURVEY AND ASKED A LOT OF DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT WERE OUT THERE, THERE WERE DIFFERENT GROUPS, THERE WERE 400 PEOPLE OUT THERE.

>> YEAH.

THEY LIVE IN CONCLAVES WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

>> RIGHT.

SO WE DID A SURVEY AND USED TO HAVE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE MET WITH PEOPLE ONCE A MONTH THAT WENT ON FOR TWO AND A HALF OR THREE YEARS.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE 25 PEOPLE THAT YOU WANTED TO LIVE AROUND, DUNE WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE AND WHO WOULD THEY BE?

THEY KNOW EXACTLY.

AS A SOCIOLOGIST YOU COULD LOOK AT THE SOCIOGRAM AND IT IS TRUE PEOPLE HAVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN CONCERT WITH THEM.

THE WATER BEARERS, THE PEOPLE WHO DID SHOPPING, FIXED THE BICYCLES, MADE SURE EVERYONE HAD FOOD.

IT WAS A COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A FEW LITTLE TINY HOUSES, YOU SHOWED A PICTURE OF THEM THERE.

WHEN THEY SEE THOSE THEY ARE LIKE, OH, I WOULD LOVE A PLACE LIKE THAT.

I COULD HAVE A SCREEN DOOR AND SEE MY NEIGHBORS GO BY AND IF THEY NEED HELP I COULD HELP THEM.

>> YEAH.

AGAIN, IT SHOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT, THAT THE LARGER SOCIAL BODY VIEWS WITH, I DON'T KNOW, SKEPTICISM OR PREJUDICE, IT IS LIKE WE FORGET HOW HUMAN THEY ACTUALLY ARE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE DISCOVERY HERE IS THAT THEY OPERATE JUST LIKE A COMMUNITY AND IF WE SET THEM UP IN A WAY THAT COMMUNITY THE FLOURISH, WE CAN EXPECT BETTER RESULTS.

>> OH, SURE.

WE STILL HAVE CONTRACTORS WHO WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH US TO OVERSEE HOW THAT HAPPENS.

MOST PEOPLE ARE LIKE, GIVE ME A HAMMER.

LET ME DO SOMETHING.

I WANT TO HAVE A GARDEN.

I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO SIT ON MY FRONT PORCH.

I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, DIG IN THE DIRT.

IT IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM ANYBODY ELSE, REALLY.

IT IS JUST WHEN YOU ARE CONSTANTLY BEING PUSHED FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO PLACE TO GO AND THERE IS NO PLACE TO BE SAFE, WARM, AND DRY.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU SPEND ALL OF YOUR TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET YOUR NEEDS MET AND HOW TO LIVE FROM DAY-TO-DAY.

>> YEAH.

NOW YOU MENTIONED SOMETIMES THE STATE RULES PROHIBIT SETTING UP THESE VILLAGES FOR VARIOUS REASONS, WHETHER IT IS THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION OR WHATEVER ELSE.

WITH THESE CEQA CHANGES, DO THEY HELP THAT OR IS THAT TOTALLY UNRELATED?

>> I'M GLAD YOU ASKED.

THAT IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

CEQA, I'M A FAN BECAUSE I LOVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THAT.

A LOT OF THESE BILLS OR OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD MORE HAVE SOME OF THOSE BUILT IN TO THEM.

THEY CAN'T -- THEY HAVE CERTAIN RULES THAT YOU CAN'T DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT, YOU CAN'T POLLUTE THE WATER, WHATEVER.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY GET MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR PROJECTS WHERE IT IS REALLY VERY IFFY.

I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT MYSELF.

>> YEAH.

IT IS A NEGOTIATION.

TRADEOFFS ABOUT CERTAIN DAMAGE YOU MIGHT CAUSE?

>> RIGHT.

WHEN YOU KNOW THERE IS GOING BE TRUCKS OR CONSTRUCTION THERE THAT IS GOING HAVE LEAKY TANKS OR THINGS THAT WILL GO INTO THE GROUNDWATER OR TAKE TREES OUT OR DESTROY HABITAT IN AN AREA UNDISTURBED OR BEEN DISTURBED OVER TIME BUT LEFT INTACT, SO TO SPEAK, THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS.

THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO HAVE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WHEN YOU ALLOW FOR AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT OR DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL AND PEOPLE THAT ARE FINDING GREEN SPACES TO BE IN BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PLACE ELSE TO GO ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THEY ARE GOING BE PUSHED OUT AGAIN, THEY WILL BE PUSHED OUT AGAIN AND NONE OF THIS IS GOING ADDRESS WHAT THEY KNEE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU CAN -- THERE ARE WORRIES ON BOTH SIDES.

>> SURE.

>> LOOK AT GENTRIFICATION.

AS THEY START BUILDING IT WILL PUSH PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUT TO BUILD SOMETHING MORE COSTLY AND THEY WON'T EVER AFFORD TO LIVE THERE.

AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE THESE THINGS ARE DONE SO QUICKLY AND THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

THEY MAY BECOME GHETTOIZED.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE WHOLE SCHEME OF THINGS.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, YOU ASKED THE QUESTION, WHAT SOCIAL ISSUES EXACERBATE THE PROBLEMS?

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> AND THERE ARE MANY.

LACK OF HOUSING, OBVIOUSLY.

BUT THERE'S SO MUCH STIGMA AND STEREOTYPING THAT GOES ON.

>> IT IS LIKE, I KNOW EVERYONE -- I DON'T WANT TO USE A CLICHE, HAS AN UNCLE, GET A JOB, WHATEVER.

THAT'S SO REDUCTIVE ABOUT WHAT THE COMPLEXITIES ARE OF PEOPLE'S LIVE, BIOGRAPHY, TRAUMA.

YOU CAN'T JUDGE.

>> YEAH.

THE ANTICIPATION THAT PEOPLE SHOULD JUST BE ABLE TO STEP INTO A LIFE AND JOB AND EVERYTHING ELSE AFTER BEING HOMELESS, ESPECIALLY CHRONICALLY HOMELESS IS NOT REALISTIC AT ALL.

>> YEAH.

>> I DON'T THINK THE WAY WE DO THINGS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE SHOULD BE THINKING IN TERMS OF THE REALITY OF HOW PEOPLE ARE LIVING AND THINKING ABOUT DEVELOPING SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE WAY THEY ARE LIVING.

>> THAT IS INGENIOUS.

>> I'M PART OF A COALITION THAT IS ABOUT VEHICLE TENANCY.

PEOPLE LIVING IN VEHICLES.

WE HAVEN'T LEGITIMIZED IT AND PROVIDED WAYS TO SUPPORT THAT.

WE GO OUT AND WE EMPTY PORT-A-POTTIES ALL THE TIME.

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE EMPTY THEIR TANKS.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THINGS WE COULD DO TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES HABITABLE.

>> IT IS COSTLY, BUT WHAT ARE THE TRADEOFFS.

YOU MAY SAVE MONEY IN ONE AREA.

WE ARE TRY TO FORCE PEOPLE TO LIVE A CERTAIN WAY WE THINK IS MORE ACCEPTABLE THAN HOW THEY ARE LIVING BUT WE MISS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT CHANGING BECAUSE OF THE TUT-TUTS OF WHO IS IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> SOME PEOPLE THINK IF WE DO THIS LONG ENOUGH THEY WILL JUST GO AWAY.

>> THAT IS NOT WORKING.

>> IT IS NEVER GOING HAPPEN AND WE WILL NEVER BUILD HOUSING FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH PEOPLE.

IT IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO NOT LEAVE THEM ON THE STREET.

WE LOSE THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE TO THE STREET EVERY MONTH, AND THAT'S BEEN SINCE WE STARTED THIS.

THAT WE SOMEHOW CAN'T EMBRACE -- HOW CAN WE SET UP SPACES THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO CAMP LEGALLY, TO PARK THEIR CARS LEGALLY, TO HAVE A TINY HOME VILLAGE WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY BE THE AMAZING, START, INNOVATIVE PEOPLE THEY ARE AND INVITE PEOPLE IN TO LEARN FROM THEM AND DO DIFFERENT THINGS WE DO.

WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO SMALL FOOTPRINT, LOW IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW FROM OUTSIDE ARE PROBABLY THE MOST CAPABLE OF TEACHING US ABOUT HOW TO BE LIGHT ON THE PLANET.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU KNOW?

>> I THINK THAT IN ITSELF IS A PERSPECTIVE CHANGE THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T MADE AND I'M GLAD YOU GUYS ARE DOING THAT WORK.

NOW, SO, YOU GUYS ACTUALLY GO OUT AND WORK WITH PEOPLE.

IT IS NOT JUST AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION ON THE GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL.

YOU ARE INTIMATE WITH THE POPULATION, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

AND WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF TIME IN THE CHUTE FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING ELEMENT, ORDINANCES WERE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM.

THE ORDINANCES THAT WERE WRITTEN ARE VERY RESTRICTIVE, HOWEVER, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE SECURITY, FENCING, LIGHTING, YOU HAVE TO -- IN SOME OF THE MODELS YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAIR WAGE STANDARDS AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO HELP EACH OTHER, IT IS HARD TO MANAGE THAT.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS ONE WE CAN WORK WITH BECAUSE IT IS OUR MODEL, IT IS RESTRICTIVE BECAUSE IT ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO DO A PILOT FOR 15 PEOPLE.

FIFTEEN PEOPLE, THAT IS GOOD, IT IS NOT QUITE THE COMMUNITY PEOPLE NEED.

>> WHAT IS THE IDEAL SIZE?

>> THE MODEL IN OREGON IS ABOUT 30.

>> OKAY.

>> AND THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

PEOPLE IN ENCAMPMENTS NOW ARE ENCAMPMENTS THAT ARE MUCH SMALLER IN THE SENSE PEOPLE CAN'T GATHER.

THEY KEEP GETTING DISPERSED.

IF PEOPLE CAN GATHER, THERE ARE JOBS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

IF YOU HAVE A GARDEN AND ANIMALS AND A WORKSHOP AND MAINTENANCE AND ALL THOSE THINGS, THERE ARE A LOT OF SKROBS TO DO.

>> YEAH.

>> AND PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THEM, BUT THERE HAS TO BE THE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> THAT IS ANOTHER WAY THEY CAN MATRICULATE THEMSELVES BACK TO SELF-RESPECT OR SELF-ESTEEM.

>> WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

I WORKED AT COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS FOR YEARS IN A TWO YEAR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE TRAINED TO GO INTO MENTAL HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES.

THEY HAD BEEN RECIPIENTS OF SERVICES SO THEY WERE SYSTEM WISE.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE.

THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND ONCE THEY HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROCESS AND HEAL AND REST AND BE IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, THE TRAUMA THEY LIVE WITH DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY BEING HOUSELESS AND BEING TRAUMATIZED AND RETRAUMATIZED, A LOT OF THE ISSUES PEOPLE SEE ON THE STREET KIND OF JUST FADE AWAY.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> HELP GET PEOPLE CONNECTED AND MOST PEOPLE WANT TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN FOR THE PLACE THEY ARE.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

THE APPROACH YOU ARE DESCRIBING TO ME SEEMS YOU START WITH THE SENSE OF OPTIMISM ABOUT HUMAN NATURE, WHICH I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE LACK THESE DAYS.

SO THE WHOLE HOPEFUL EFFORT RESONATES WITH ME.

A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS.

WE HAVE 90 SECONDS LEFT.

>> OH.

>> I KNOW.

TIME LIMITS.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IN OUR AUDIENCE YOU DON'T SEE MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE HOMELESS?

MISSED IMPRESSIONS?

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

I THINK PEOPLE -- ONE BIG BALL OF YUCK IT IS A PROBLEM.

IT IS LIKE ANYTHING ELSE.

A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HUMAN BEINGS THAT HAVE CHILDREN, THEY HAVE PARENTS, THEY ARE PART OF A NETWORK THAT SUPPORTS THEM IN SOME WAY.

THAT IS WHY THEY ARE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> YEAH.

AND LASTLY, YOU HAVE A WEBSITE IF PEOPLE WANT TO GIVE THEY CAN GO TO YOUR WEBSITE.

>> YES IT IS AHHA.HUMCO.

>> THERE IT IS.

>> AHHA-HUMCO.ORG.

>> PEOPLE CAN GO FIND ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND GIVE?

>> YES, THEY CAN.

THEY CAN CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AND SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER TO BE PART OF OUR SHOWER PROGRAM OR OTHER ACTIVITIES WE DO.

>> CARAVAN AND WHAT NOT?

>> YES.

WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK MID NOVEMBER.

IT HAS BEEN ON HIATUS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU TO.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THAT IS IT FOR THIS EVENING.

CATCH YOU NEXT WEEK.

STAY TUNED, STAY INFORMED.

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