Oakland, California, is set to launch a pilot program that will pay unhoused residents to clean up areas around homeless encampments. Mayor Barbara Lee announced the initiative, intended as a novel approach to addressing the city's homelessness crisis and improving neighborhood sanitation.
Lee stated that the program, which will operate under the city's newly established Office of Homeless Solutions, aims to find "out-of-the-box kind of solutions that are working in other areas." The mayor expressed confidence in the pilot's potential to make Oakland "the cleanest safest city in the country," suggesting it would be beneficial for both the community and the unhoused population by providing financial assistance and cleaner living conditions.
While specific details regarding the start date and pay rates have not yet been released, the mayor's office is reportedly seeking this information. The proposed solution comes as Oakland faces a persistent challenge with homelessness. As of May of this year, the city estimated its homeless population at 4,410 individuals, a decrease from previous years, yet the number of encampments has grown to over 1,900 locations.
The idea of compensating unhoused individuals for cleaning has drawn mixed reactions. Some residents living in encampments have expressed support, with one individual named Sean telling ABC7 that the work is similar to what housed residents do and that "all she needs to do is have someone pick up trash."
However, the pilot program contrasts with recent actions by the Oakland City Council. In April, councilmembers voted to implement stricter policies that facilitate the clearing of encampments. Councilmember Charlene Wang cited concerns about the city serving as a regional social safety net and the need to provide relief to neighborhoods affected by encampments.
The Oakland initiative draws inspiration from a similar program in Portland, Oregon. In Portland, unhoused individuals are paid through partnerships, such as with the Ground Score Association, to remove litter and waste from public spaces and encampments. Workers in that program reportedly earn between $20 and $29 per hour and have seen success in moving from temporary to permanent housing, according to the nonprofit involved.