Michael Milton proposes affordable housing solutions for Sacramento's homeless crisis

In a passionate plea during the Sacramento City Council meeting on April 29, 2025, community members voiced urgent calls for innovative solutions to the city's homelessness crisis. One speaker highlighted the pressing need for safe ground sites, emphasizing that many individuals are left without basic necessities like electricity and water. "We had a waiting list of over 600 people that wanted to be in a place with no electric and no water," they stated, underscoring the dire conditions faced by the homeless population.

Another speaker, Michael Milton, criticized the current housing strategies, suggesting a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to create affordable housing options. He proposed a model where able-bodied individuals could contribute labor to build homes, thereby reducing costs and fostering community involvement. "Why don’t we have the young able-bodied people putting in 500 hours of work to build up a community?" he asked, advocating for a shift away from traditional shelter models that he claimed have led to tragic outcomes, including violence and drug overdoses.

The discussions also touched on the need for additional housing solutions, with representatives from L&D Landfill acknowledging the challenges faced in maintaining community safety and cleanliness. They noted the collaborative efforts with city officials to address these issues, but emphasized that more housing options are essential to alleviate the ongoing crisis.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency for actionable solutions was clear. Community members are calling for a reevaluation of current strategies and a commitment to innovative approaches that prioritize safety and sustainability for Sacramento's vulnerable populations.