Novato suspends plan to close camp for homeless

Novato has tabled plans to close its city-sanctioned encampment at Lee Gerner Park, officials said.

Plans to shutter the camp by Oct. 13, under a settlement that calls for the closure of the encampment after two years, are on hold amid a challenge by the California Homeless Union. The issue was raised prior to a Sept. 24 City Council meeting, which featured an item on the agenda focused on plans to close the camp for good.

Residents of the camp, which was gutted by fire in July, rallied at the park Wednesday alongside advocates for the homeless community to call on the city to keep the camp open.

Though the camp has been closed to residents since the July 30 fire, it is still considered operational under the terms of the settlement agreement between the homeless union and the city.

“If anyone thinks we’re going to go down without a fight, they don’t know the homeless union,” said Anthony Prince, an attorney for the organization. “We were out there today because the city is threatening to close the camp. The camp has been a big success. It makes no sense to close it.”

The City Council was set to consider a resolution approving the closure and amendments to the municipal code to remove protections to camping on public property under certain circumstances.

Prince said the California Homeless Union appealed to the city to remove the issue from the agenda because it did not follow a prescribed process in the settlement agreement that dictated the city conduct a study on the necessity of the park three months before the closure.

“This was an attempted sneak attack,” he said. “There are more homeless people than ever before and they want to destroy success.”

Sherin Olivero, a city spokesperson, said the council opted to defer the issue pending further discussion after the California Homeless Union contacted the city attorney. The issue is not scheduled to return for council consideration at this time, she said.

“The city remains committed to working closely with our Housing and Homeless Committee, Homeless Union and local partners to ensure Novato’s unhoused community members are connected to essential resources and support systems,” Olivero said.

The encampment was created after the California Homeless Union filed a federal lawsuit against the city challenging regulations dictating where camping is permitted in public places. The city agreed to retain the camp as part of the settlement. City officials also approved $200,000 in federal stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to build the camp.

About 20 people were staying at site, dubbed “Camp Compassion” by residents, at the time of the fire. Many have since moved to a motel provided as temporary shelter by the city. Since the summer, others have moved elsewhere, into shelters or on the street, said Jason Sarris, a former camper who is now the chair of the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee.

Sarris said there remains a need for a camp in Novato and argued it should stay open after the fire cleanup is complete.

“The city wants to shut down the longest running, most successful camp in Marin. Where is the logic in that?” he said.

Two days after the fire, Novato police arrested a suspect accused of arson at the camp. The camp still contains burned debris, furniture and property.

The city posted a notice at the site declaring the area abandoned. A cleanup is scheduled for Friday.

Bryan Duran, a former camp resident who found housing in February, said the camp was essential to residents and served as a landing pad before seeking permanent housing.

“It gives people a place to call home,” he said. “You need to be in their shoes. They are doing everything they can and everything can prove to find housing.”

Jenn Mallow, an advocate for homeless people, said 76 people have been through the camp since it was established.

“This camp provides stability and safety and a moment to catch your breath,” she said. “It’s a jumping ground to stability.”

The city has supported temporary housing through one-time grant funds from the state and Marin County. Approximately $500,000 remains. In the past two years, the city received $1 million in funding for homeless services. County funds are earmarked for the Lee Gerner Park services and state funds are set aside for homeless response initiatives.

Advocates said the funds are still there to keep the camp running.

“There are so many things going on we have to keep quiet about,” said Bambi Klyse, a camp organizer. ”I feel that it’s time that the community hears the truth about everything.”