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Service providers tell council fines don’t solve homelessness; urge low‑barrier sites and outreach
Summary
At the Dec. 8 Astoria work session, service providers told council that fines are ineffective for people without means and recommended low‑barrier, site‑based models and persistent outreach; providers also warned that new housing coming online will only partially relieve demand.
Several community organizations told the Estrella City Council on Dec. 8 that citation‑based enforcement is ineffective for people experiencing homelessness and urged investment in low‑barrier, site‑based programs and sustained outreach.
Susan Perdeman Hartel, deputy director at the harbor, said citations are often unpayable and clog the legal system: “Issuing a citation to somebody who’s experiencing homelessness makes no sense,” she said. She called for “compassion‑based enforcement” with…
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