In December 2015, as Oakland’s homeless crisis began to intensify, city councilmembers voted to declare a shelter crisis and ease regulations for sanctioned homeless encampments. But some councilmembers also worried aloud that it’d be a hollow gesture. Dan Kalb wanted a timeline. Desley Brooks noted that other cities attached affordable housing funds to similar declarations. … Continue reading Activists Hasten Oakland’s Slow-Moving Plans to Permit Homeless Encampments