Sacramento officials tout success of safe space for homeless individuals

ERIN. >> ITS NIGHT AND DAY COMPARED TO PRIOR SAFEGROUNDS HERE IN SACRAMENTO ITS PEACEFUL, , TRANQUIL AND IN 3 WEEKS TIME AND IT IS NOT POPULATED WITH -- IT IS POPULATED WITH TENTS ALL AROU.ND >> SO THEY’RE OPENING UP THEOS DOORS AND THEY ARE SEEING GRASS AND THEY’RE SEEING THE RIVER AND THAT IS SO IMPORTANT IN REDUCING ANXIETY, AND REDUCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND MAKING PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY ARE VALUED. >> THE CITY SAYS EVERYTHING AT THE MILLER PARK SAFE GUNROD IS STRATEGIC AND IT CAME FROM LESSONS ARLENED AT THE NOW CLOSED WX GROUNDS. >> THAT PROGRAM TAUGHT US A T OF LESSONS. >> THINGS LIKE THE SAFETY OF ONE POINT OF ENTRY, AND THE BENEFITS OF 24/7 STAFFING, DAILY ALME AND CONSTANT ACCESS TO WARM SH OWERS. THEY SAY IT DOES A LOT FOR PEOPLES MENTAL HEALTH. >> HERE I AM MUCH MORE HOPEFUL, IT 'T ’S QUIET, I CAN HEAR MYSELF THINK, IT’S PEACEFUL THIS IS ANDREW PENDERY I’VE BEEN ON THE STREETS ON AND OFF SINCE 201HE6 >> HE WAS A SUPERVISOR F TOR STATE, BUT HAD AN ACCIDENT, AND LOST HIS JOB. >> WITHOUT A SPRINGBOARD UNDERNEATH US, IT’S A BOTTOMLESS PIT OUT ON THE STREETS IT’S REALLY TOUGH OUT THERE. >> HE SAY THE COMMUNITY DOESN’T OFTEN TREAPET OPLE LIKE HIM WITH THE UNITY. >> WE’RE IN NOBODIES BACKYDAR RIGHT NOW, BEING HERE, WE’RE IN A CITY PARK YEAH, BUT IT’S A NOBODY’S BACKYARD AND WE HAVE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT IT’S SAD,T' ’S SAD BECAUSE WE ARE ALL PART OF THE COMMUNITY, WE’RE JUST NOT EXCEPTED BUT HERE, HEAS H HOPE THE MILLER PARK SAFEGROUND HAS A CAPACITY OF 110 PEOPLE, AND ITH3N WEEKS THEY’VE BEEN OPEN, THE’' TRANSITIONED SIX TO HOUSED PROGRAMS. THOUGH THEY DOEC ROGNIZE THI ISN’T A FOREVER FIXED. >> WHILE THIS IS WONDERFUL, AND A REAL BENEFIT, IT IS VERY MUCH EMERGENCY RESPONSE INTAKG PEOPLE AS WE ARRIVED,HE T CITY HOPES MORE SUCCESS WILL MECO FROM SITES LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE. LIKE PENDERY CALLED IT A ' ’SPRINGBOARD’ FOR THE THOUSANDS ACROSS SACRAMENTO THAT NEED A STEP UP. THE PROGRAM COSTS ABOUT $45 A NIGHT PER PERSON AND THE GOAL OF THE PROGM RAIS TO GET PEOPLE PERMANENTLY HOUS. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THEY HOPE THE COMMUNITY IN SACRAMENTO CAN RECOGNIZE THAT THESE SES CITAN BE SUCCESSFUL AND THEY NEED MORE OF THEM.

A space designated for people experiencing homelessness has been successful in sheltering them and keeping them safe, according to Sacramento officials.The Miller Park Safe Ground, a 60-tent designated area built to 110 people, opened in early February. Three weeks into its opening, Nick Golling, program manager of homeless services for the City of Sacramento's Department of Community Response, said the space is working.“We’re already seeing some of those outcomes of getting people from unsanctioned areas, unsafe areas outdoors, bringing them in and giving them dignity and respect they need,” Golling said.So far, six people from Miller Park transitioned into elevated indoor housing. Some of them have made it into permanent housing programs, which the city says is the goal. Golling said many lessons were learned through previous safe grounds, like the one underneath the W-X portion of the Capital City Freeway that is now closed. Golling explained the Miller Park location is different because there is a single point of entry into the grounds, which W-X did not have. The single point of entry allows for more control and a safer environment. The Miller Park Safe Ground also has two provided meals each day, medical and human resources, case management, and access to hot showers 24 hours a day. The site is also staffed 100% of time, which residents tell KCRA 3 makes them feel safer.The program costs approximately $45 a day per person if the site is at full capacity.“Without a springboard underneath us, it’s a bottomless pit out on the streets. It’s really tough out there,” said Andrew Pendery, who has been on and off the street since 2016 when he lost his job. Pendery said he was a supervisor working for the state when he got in an accident, experienced head trauma and subsequently lost his job. He finds it disappointing to see people pushing back against safe ground programs.“We’re in nobody's backyard right now, being here. We’re in a city park, yeah, but it’s a nobody’s backyard and we have people complaining about that … it’s sad, it’s sad because we are all part of the community. We’re just not accepted,” Pendery said.Prior to opening the Miller Park location, property owners within the community near the park openly complained, worried people experiencing homelessness would bring crime to the area; but past crimes in the area have not been connected to the homeless population according to Sacramento City Council Member Katie Valenzuela.The Miller Park location is currently available by referral only and is considered "low barrier," meaning in part it does not discriminate and allows for people to bring pets, partners and possessions.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

A space designated for people experiencing homelessness has been successful in sheltering them and keeping them safe, according to Sacramento officials.

The Miller Park Safe Ground, a 60-tent designated area built to 110 people, opened in early February. Three weeks into its opening, Nick Golling, program manager of homeless services for the City of Sacramento's Department of Community Response, said the space is working.

“We’re already seeing some of those outcomes of getting people from unsanctioned areas, unsafe areas outdoors, bringing them in and giving them dignity and respect they need,” Golling said.

So far, six people from Miller Park transitioned into elevated indoor housing. Some of them have made it into permanent housing programs, which the city says is the goal.

Golling said many lessons were learned through previous safe grounds, like the one underneath the W-X portion of the Capital City Freeway that is now closed. Golling explained the Miller Park location is different because there is a single point of entry into the grounds, which W-X did not have.

The single point of entry allows for more control and a safer environment. The Miller Park Safe Ground also has two provided meals each day, medical and human resources, case management, and access to hot showers 24 hours a day. The site is also staffed 100% of time, which residents tell KCRA 3 makes them feel safer.

The program costs approximately $45 a day per person if the site is at full capacity.

“Without a springboard underneath us, it’s a bottomless pit out on the streets. It’s really tough out there,” said Andrew Pendery, who has been on and off the street since 2016 when he lost his job.

Pendery said he was a supervisor working for the state when he got in an accident, experienced head trauma and subsequently lost his job. He finds it disappointing to see people pushing back against safe ground programs.

“We’re in nobody's backyard right now, being here. We’re in a city park, yeah, but it’s a nobody’s backyard and we have people complaining about that … it’s sad, it’s sad because we are all part of the community. We’re just not accepted,” Pendery said.

Prior to opening the Miller Park location, property owners within the community near the park openly complained, worried people experiencing homelessness would bring crime to the area; but past crimes in the area have not been connected to the homeless population according to Sacramento City Council Member Katie Valenzuela.

The Miller Park location is currently available by referral only and is considered "low barrier," meaning in part it does not discriminate and allows for people to bring pets, partners and possessions.

Sacramento officials tout success of safe space for homeless individuals

Share

Share

Share

Top Picks