Homelessness

Safe Space Winter Shelter in Chico will begin sheltering unhoused individuals starting Dec. 17. NSPR spoke with the organization’s program coordinator about finding an intake center location and how the shelter operates.

Several unhoused people have been cleared from encampments in Chico in recent months. Another sweep is planned in recent weeks. Campers at sites that were enforced last week told NSPR they have nowhere else to go.

Shasta County officials continue to debate how ballots will be counted, with a special election coming up in less than a week. Also, Chico is planning to issue more anti-camping enforcement notices to those experiencing homelessness and living in tents or makeshift shelters on sidewalks and other public spaces in the city, and yesterday students from Chico elementary schools had a blast watching pumpkins being thrown off a crane at Chico State’s 34th annual Pumpkin Drop.

Last month, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness announced a new round of funding to communities across the state. NSPR's Alec Stutson has more on the funds, and how they're being put to use in the North State.

Last month, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness announced a new round of funding to communities across the state, including Oroville. Also, as of today, the ordinance that allows permits for Bear Fire or North Complex survivors to stay on their land in trailers and RVs is set to end on Dec. 31; this morning the Butte County Board of Supervisors is planning to vote on a possible six-month extension, and it’s been six years since the Cascade, LaPorte and Cherokee fires in Yuba and Butte counties.

Unhoused individuals camping on the southeast side of Depot Park received enforcement notices from the City of Chico Monday, that’s after the northwest half of the park was cleared earlier this month. Also, the Shasta Beloved Community will host a program in Redding to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘Dream’ speech that he gave on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington, and NSPR visits Oak Way Garden a place for Chico gardeners without garden space to grow their own vegetables.

There are currently over 1,200 unhoused people living in Butte County according to the 2023 Point-in-Time count, which surveys unhoused residents. Nearly 1,000 of those counted live in Chico where the debate about how to best help our unhoused neighbors continues.

The city of Chico removed unhoused residents and cleaned up trash in half of Depot Park downtown yesterday (Aug. 10). It was the site of the last large homeless encampment in the city. NSPR's Alec Stutson was there.

The city of Chico issued enforcement notices to residents of a large unhoused encampment at Depot Park, informing them that they'll be removed along with their belongings if they're still there on Aug. 10. Also, the Oroville City Council approved a $2.1 million contract with Butte Construction to begin work on a Pallet shelter in the city, and the only regional juvenile hall center in the state is scheduled to open in Marysville this fall.

The city of Chico issued notices to residents of a large unhoused encampment at Depot Park, informing them that they'll be removed along with their belongings if they're still there on Aug. 10.