Housing

The Butte County Grand Jury has released its annual report, which includes investigations into Chico's homelessness policies. It found the city responsible for neglect and unsanitary conditions at its sanctioned encampment for unhoused residents. The report also found over the past decade the city has not addressed the homelessness crisis properly and instead took an “adversarial” stance to try and encourage unhoused residents to leave the city. Separately, the jury found inadequate funding has caused morale issues among library staff and patrons.

Anderson Union School District Board President Jackie LaBarbera announced that the district would continue its current policy requiring school officials to inform parents when a student requests a change to their records, including requests to change their gender identity or sexual orientation. Also, tribal and conservation groups are advocating for national monument status for the Medicine Lake Highlands in Siskiyou County, and there are now more restrictions on fires in Lassen National Forest.

We’re continuing to cover the city of Chico’s announcement this week that it hopes to change the terms of Warren v. Chico — a settlement agreement that outlines its homelessness policy for clearing encampments. In a letter responding to the city, the law firm representing the unhoused plaintiffs in the 2021 case pushes back. Also, Councilmember Tom van Overbeek says he supports the city’s move to challenge the settlement and says Councilmember Addison Winslow is incorrect about the details. And members of Tehama County’s largest employee union have declared no confidence in the Chief Administrative Officer and Personnel Director.

The city of Chico wants to change the conditions of Warren v. Chico, a major settlement agreement that outlines its policies on removing homeless encampments in the city. We hear from Mayor Andrew Coolidge and Councilmember Addison Winslow.

The Butte County Public Health Department says lab tests of water at the city of Chico’s sanctioned encampment have come back clear of contamination. Also, the majority of council seats are close to the end of their four-year terms. New candidates can begin the candidacy process this week, and the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District announced that West Nile Virus is now active in Butte County.

Widespread cases of diarrhea have been reported at the city of Chico’s alternative campsite on Eaton and Cohasset Roads. The illness has caused advocates to push for better conditions at the city-sanctioned encampment for unhoused residents. Also, as the nation reacts to the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump, North State residents are speculating about what it means for the upcoming election, and the Oroville City Council is revisiting a program that could reduce electricity costs for residents.

After an attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Saturday, California leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Doug LaMalfa flocked to social media to voice their reflections about the shooting. Also, numerous people at Chico’s alternative campsite off Easton and Cohasset roads have reported being sick with diarrhea for weeks. NSPR visited the site and found unsanitary conditions, and researchers at Chico State worry a recent Supreme Court ruling that municipalities may enforce anti-camping ordinances may halt Chico’s progress.

The Supreme Court sided with the city of Grant’s Pass. The decision reverses a previous ban on criminalizing people for sleeping outside if they have no other options. In Chico, some say the decision could affect how the city responds to homelessness in the long term.

Tehama County just saw the opening of its first homeless shelter, but advocates say not enough is being done in Red Bluff to fight homelessness. So community members are stepping up to fill the gaps.

PATH Plaza, the first and only homeless shelter in Tehama County, has officially opened its doors. But with more than 200 unsheltered people in the county, advocates say it's not enough to fully address homelessness in the area.