Oakland’s encampment abatement policy delayed again after state raises new concerns
State agency registered new concerns with Oakland's EAP on Monday prompting the item ro be pulled from Tuesday's agenda
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—Oakland Councilmember Ken Houston’s quest to create a formal Encampment Abatement Policy hit another snag Tuesday night, when Council President Kevin Jenkins abruptly pulled the proposal from the agenda—just prior to a scheduled debate and vote.
Jenkins said the decision came after “recent things that happened,” referring to concerns raised by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH).
The state agency, which oversees and coordinates California’s homelessness response, emailed councilmembers on Monday outlining problems with the policy—including questions about its “sensitivity zones,” the areas where encampment removals would be restricted.
“We are a very urban city,” Jenkins said. “So where people can go when they are unsheltered is a real concern.”
Houston, who authored the policy, pressed Jenkins for a clearer explanation, saying he believed the city had already addressed the state’s earlier objections.
—“They’re moving the poll, it looks like,” Houston said—likely meaning that state regulators were shifting the goalposts after prior discussions.
Jenkins countered that the city needed more time to avoid jeopardizing state funding for homelessness programs. “I think it is imperative that we as a city keep funding in place,” he said, noting that it took 18 months to get the city’s Encampment Management Policy approved. “So it’s going to take some time to get this done.”
The Encampment Abatement Policy is intended to create clear rules for when and how Oakland clears encampments—an issue that has long frustrated residents.
Opponents argue it criminalizes homelessness, restricts where people can live, and fails to provide adequate shelter or housing alternatives.
—Since its introduction, the policy has been repeatedly stalled by delays, shifting state guidance, and fierce pushback from housing advocates since being introduced in September.
Even with the item pulled, dozens of opponents delivered hours of public comment, urging the council to abandon the policy entirely.
The council now expects to revisit the issue in January, Jenkins said—setting up yet another round in Oakland’s long and contentious debate over how to respond to homelessness.
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