Liberal Bay Area town rages against proposed homeless shelter, ‘We don’t want to see that’

Residents within the liberal Bay Space city of Millbrae try to dam a proposal to remodel a lodge positioned close to a faculty into housing for the homeless.

The tiny liberal city positioned 15 miles south of San Francisco — the place the typical residence value is $1.9 million — is slated to approve the Challenge Homekey plan to show a La Quinta lodge right into a 99-unit condominium complicated for unhoused individuals.

However lots of of offended residents against the mission packed a neighborhood room on Friday to voice their issues.

“It’s very near kids,” Millbrae resident Ho Yeung advised NBC Bay Area. “It’s a block from three colleges. So we don’t need to see that.”

Like many cities in California, homelessness has develop into an growing downside in San Mateo County, the place Millbrae is positioned.

In the course of the newest “cut-off date” rely carried out in February, there have been a complete of 1,092 homeless individuals within the county. That was a 20% improve in comparison with 2019, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal.

Patricia Lam attended the assembly holding an indication that mentioned, “Preserve our youngsters and seniors protected.”

“We’re involved about this mission,” she advised NBC Bay Space. “The explanation why is as a result of it’s proper within the coronary heart of Millbrae.”

The assembly rapidly devolved right into a shouting match, with offended residents booing and shouting down county officers.

San Mateo County Govt Mike Callagy requested residents to offer the mission an opportunity.

“They’re frightened about crime, they’re frightened about assaults, they’re frightened about medication and psychological well being impacting the neighborhoods,” Callagy mentioned. “That has simply not been our expertise.”

The $33 million mission shall be operated by the non-profit group Episcopal Neighborhood Providers whether it is accepted.

Beth Stokes, a spokesperson with the non-profit, mentioned there shall be employees readily available 24/7 to offer the lodge residents case administration help.

San Mateo County used state funds to buy 5 resorts with a mixed 315 beds, lots of which have already been stuffed, in accordance with the San Mateo Each day Journal.

Town additionally launched one other program that related 119 homeless individuals who had been squatting at Millbrae’s BART station. About 95% of Millbrae’s homeless inhabitants congregated on the metropolis’s BART station, which is the primary mode of transportation for a lot of residents who work and store in San Francisco.

Nevertheless, solely 31 of the homeless agreed to obtain case administration companies inside the first six months and one particular person was positioned in everlasting housing, metropolis officers mentioned.

Annoyed Millbrae residents mentioned they’re already disproportionately paying for the Bay Space’s homeless issues in comparison with wealthier neighboring cities.

Paul Larson, who owns the funeral residence positioned throughout from the La Quinta lodge, told CBS News Bay Area dropping the La Quinta as a functioning lodge would harm Millbrae even additional.

Guests who keep on the lodge pay an occupancy tax that contributes about $600,000 per yr to town’s coffers, he mentioned.

“Having a method for the homeless or the individuals who need assistance to get out of that scenario is sweet, however on the similar time, you need to take a look at the encompassing neighborhood. What are their wants,” Larson mentioned. “Shedding a lodge in Millbrae is like reducing off a finger.”