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Council forms Ad Hoc Committee on Encampments after heated debate, removes governor reference
Summary
After extended debate over language referencing the governor’s executive order, Huntington Park’s council approved an ad hoc committee to study encampments and craft recommendations; council amended the whereas language to affirm homelessness as a housing and public‑health crisis and to avoid criminalizing people experiencing homelessness.
Huntington Park’s City Council voted to create a five‑member Ad Hoc Committee on Encampments to evaluate the city’s policies, enforcement practices and regional coordination related to unhoused encampments.
The resolution’s initial whereas clauses mentioned the governor’s executive order and the Grants Pass case. One councilmember proposed removing that specific reference and inserting a new whereas that affirms homelessness is primarily a housing and public‑health crisis and that policy should avoid criminalizing people experiencing homelessness. After debate about context versus implication, the council approved the amendment and then adopted the resolution with the revised language.
Supporters said the ad hoc will allow focused, evidence‑based and legally compliant recommendations to the full council. Others warned that contextual references to state action could be interpreted as an endorsement; the adopted amendment removed the direct reference to the governor’s executive order while retaining language directing the committee to examine enforcement, public safety, housing pathways and supportive services. The motion carried on recorded roll call.
