Local

3 legislative decisions that impacted homelessness in Merced County in 2024

Stories by Merced Sun-Star journalists, with AI summarization

In 2024, three legislative actions significantly influenced homelessness policies in Merced County. The Merced City Council adopted a strict anti-camping ordinance, imposing fines and possible jail time for public camping and storage of personal belongings near schools and public spaces. Critics argue it criminalizes homelessness rather than addressing underlying causes, but supporters highlight its intent to maintain public safety.

Meanwhile, Los Banos secured nearly $12 million in state funds to develop permanent modular housing for 95 individuals, marking a substantial investment in addressing homelessness through long-term solutions. These decisions reflect a broader tension between enforcement-driven policies and resource-oriented initiatives amid California’s ongoing homelessness crisis.

Los Banos Mayor Paul Llanez speaks about the city being awarded $11.8 million in grant money from the state to help transition people living in encampments to permanent housing during a press conference on Monday, April 22, 2024. By Shawn Jansen

NO. 1: LOS BANOS AWARDED NEARLY $12 MILLION FROM CALIFORNIA TO BUILD HOUSING PROJECT FOR HOMELESS

As of January 2024, there were 121 unsheltered people in Los Banos, according to the Merced City and County Continuum of Care. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shawn Jansen

A person moves around inside a tent located at a small encampment along the bank of Bear Creek in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. By Andrew Kuhn

NO. 2: MERCED CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO BAN CAMPING IN PUBLIC. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PROPOSED ORDINANCE

One Merced councilmember against the anti-camping ordinance claims the new regulations is criminalizing homelessness. | Published October 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shawn Jansen

Mike, also known as “Wizard”, sits next to a makeshift shelter by the railroad tracks near 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr Way on Friday Nov. 1. Two machetes lay near him. He uses the long knives to hack wooden pallets for fires to keep warm at night. By Alma Villegas

NO. 3: MERCED CITY COUNCIL BANS PUBLIC CAMPING. WHEN WILL THE NEW ORDINANCE TAKE EFFECT?

The new ordinance increases penalties for camping on public properties in Merced. | Published November 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alma Villegas

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.