NATION: Why does Our Government Exempt Itself from It's Own Laws?

I've wanted to write on this topic for years. I have worked for an employment law firm since 1998, and am amazed at how often our wonderful new employment laws were directed exclusively at private employers and not at the government itself. 

Most often, the reason those who enacted the laws (i.e., our elected representatives) gave for NOT applying it to their own employees was because the laws would be "too burdensome" for them, yet somehow, would not be too burdensome for private employers.  

The second most common reason the laws did not apply to them was simply because they would NEVER behave in the manner that the law was designed to prevent. Frankly, I'm amazed that the media never picks up on this completely hypocritical "let them eat cake" approach taken by those who write our laws.

This post will simply compile a list of recently enacted laws that apply to us (private employers) and not to them (the government). Let the fun begin. We will see if anyone cares, or is it just "business as usual".

Above: Blog posts are boring without a photo. Above is my son catching his first albacore. Bravo! (click to enlarge).

NATION: Homeless vs. Transient / Vagrant / Bum - What's the Difference?

****Update 3/1/2016: Merriam-Webster defines a vagrant as a person who has no place to live and no job and who asks people for money (in other words, a homeless begger).  The word "vagrant" joins "transient" as a clue to the point of view of the communicator. Unless you know that the person is homeless, does not have a job, and begs for a living, calling them a "vagrant" demonstrates a lack of empathy for the plight of the homeless.

It is interesting to note that I recently read that it is not "politically correct" to say anything negative about a homeless person. This is a "new one" to me, but okay, I'll play: there are "good" homeless people and "bad" homeless people, just like everything else (good Catholic Priests vs. bad Catholic Priests; good lawyers vs. bad lawyers, etc.). I see no problem with factual statements about homeless people that are negative. However, generalizing about the homeless as bums, transients and vagrants without knowing anything about them is prejudicial and just wrong.

*****Original Article 12/25/2015: You can read more about the difference between a Homeless Person and a Transient person by clicking here. The article was written by a transient who does not consider himself to be homeless.

Let's make a few distinctions here: HOMELESS vs. TRANSIENT. A homeless person is someone who was previously housed, and through undesirable circumstances, they have become homeless. A homeless person may have their issues, like everybody else, but they want to get back into housing. Note that many homeless people in SLO county work full or part time, and still cannot afford our expensive local housing. 

The HOMELESS most often feel shame for being homeless, and certainly do not advertise their state of affairs by panhandling or standing on a street corner waving one of those cardboard signs. They would sooner die of shame than work a corner asking for a handout, or aggressively panhandle spare change. 

On the other hand, a TRANSIENT is someone who has chosen the homeless lifestyle. More often than not, when you meet them, they tell you they are just passing through, although it is also true that many have chosen to stay in one place for an extended period of time. Though it is true that a TRANSIENT may technically be HOMELESS, they themselves do not consider themselves to be homeless, but simply don't have a permanent address. 

In general, TRANSIENT and VAGRANT terms are more pejorative term when compared with HOMELESS PERSON. In fact, one of the signs that a person or group has a negative point of view towards the homeless is when they refer to ALL homeless people as TRANSIENTS, or my other favorite, VAGRANTS. Another favorite of the "hate the homeless crowd" is simply BUMS. Our San Luis Obispo Police Department loves to refer to our homeless population as TRANSIENTS, thus tipping their hand to how they feel about them. Check out this link to this youtube video of SLO Police Chief Gessell where he talks about how they are dealing with the TRANSIENTS. The commentator in the youtube video interview uses the term TRANSIENT as well. Police are considered community leaders, and when they use the pejorative term TRANSIENT then others feel they can use them as well.

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LOCAL: Yes, We Are Criminalizing Homelessness

Sitting on a Park Bench for more than an hour is a Crime? Really?
Chapter 9.40
PUBLIC BENCHES
Sections:
9.40.010 Infraction established.
9.40.010 Infraction established.
It shall be an infraction for any person to sit, lay, or remain upon any public bench for any continuous period of time in excess of one hour, or for any period of time in excess of three hours in any twenty-four-hour period; or to arrange one’s personal property on or in front of any portion of any public bench in a manner that obstructs or precludes the use of the bench by another person. (Ord. 1491 § 2, 2006)

Above (click to enlarge): Photo of the actual ticket received, with the name of the person covered up. Note the address as "General Delivery", meaning a homeless person with no address. This is not right!

Yes, we are criminalizing homelessness. A group of homeless each got a ticket like this one because he and others were sitting at the picnic table at Meadow Park in SLO during broad daylight, apparently for "more than an hour". I have attended picnics at that very same table (for more than an hour) and never got ticketed. Gee, are they discriminating against the homeless?

Was this written with the homeless in mind? "or to arrange one’s personal property on or in front of any portion of any public bench in a manner that obstructs or precludes the use of the bench by another person."

NATION: US Government Subjugation of Indian Tribes Must Stop!

Casinos have brought some positive financial results to a small number of Indian tribes. However, most tribes remain poor - indeed, the poorest by far of all the ethnic groups in America. For more information on this subject, click on this US News and World Report article from November 2014. Here is a quote from this article:

“American Indians suffer from a variety of problems somewhat similar to African Americans,” says Algernon Austin, author of a 2013 Economic Policy Institute (EPI) report on Native American unemployment. “You have lower levels of education [and] continued racial discrimination in the labor market. Some of my work for EPI showed that … improving education attainment of American Indians would likely produce a significant increase in their employment rates.”

Many of us remain convinced that it is the intention of U. S. Government policy to weaken tribal sovereignty and diminish their economic independence. Here's more proof of that belief: In 2004, in a case involving the San Manual Band of Mission Indians, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) reversed 70 years of prior rulings and held that tribal governments - UNLIKE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS - were subject to the NLRB. This ruling meant that tribal businesses would be regulated like private businesses - a clear blow to tribal sovereignty.

Above: Blog posts are boring without photos! Above is Mark and I with one of our Supai Tribe member friends, during a recent visit. The Supai Tribe has managed to preserve it's tribal language and runs a wonderful tourist business at their Grand Canyon National Park tribal reservation location. They still have their challenges, but have a history for fighting for control of their native tribal lands. You can read more about visiting by clicking here.

LOCAL: Templeton Residents Oppose Needed Mental Health Facility

*****UPDATE 3/7/2016: Hello to Mental Wellness supporters in SLO County,

Transitions-Mental Health Association needs your help to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community are able to get the mental health treatment they need in San Luis Obispo County!

We are reaching out to you regarding the behavioral health hospital being proposed for Templeton, across the street from Twin Cities Hospital.  The SLO County Planning Commission has approved this project unanimously after two hearings with much public comment.  However, there is a very vocal opposition group of Templeton area folks called “Concerned Citizens Preventing Unintended Consequences” which is pushing back very strongly against this project being built in their town.  They have filed an appeal , hence the matter will be decided by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 15 at 9am.  

While we are happy to have such a facility ANYWHERE in SLO County, the reality is this is the ONLY project being proposed.  If we lose this project, the long passed over need for mental health treatment beds in our county will be set back years.  

We are calling on medical doctors, psychologists, therapists, counselors, nurses, mental health advocates, teachers/professors, persons living with mental illness, your families, and anyone affected by mental illness – we need your help!

Our County Supervisors must hear the voices of those who see the obvious need.  (If you are a professional who has sent patients out of our county for hospitalization, your voice is especially potent.)

There are many ways to get involved and show your support for this important facility:

·        SPREAD THE WORD and forward this email to someone who supports the cause.

·        SIGN THE PETITION and submit to the project developers by Friday, March 11.

·        WRITE A LETTER or EMAIL in support of this facility and send it to the County Supervisors or your local newspaper.  Feel free to use the form letter we’ve attached, or write your own. 

·        CALL your County Supervisor and let them know you support the Templeton behavioral health hospital and encourage them to approve the project.

·        ATTEND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AND SPEAK during public comment.  The agenda will posted on the county  website by Wed, March 9.  Check here.

Board of Supervisors’ meeting is Tuesday, March 15 starting at 9am

Corner of Santa Rosa and Monterey Streets, first floor

Please arrive early to submit a Public Comment speaker’s request and/or get a seat.

We’ve attached all the forms and contact info you need to show support:

·        Petition, Project Fact Sheet, and Contact info for Supervisors and local papers, from developers Harvey and Melanie Billig (retired Templeton Ophthalmologist  and former SLO Mayor).

·        A sample letter idea from TMHA.

·        A link to the public comment card here: “Board Appearance Request Form”.  You can print this out in advance and submit at the meeting.  We’ve been told by one Supervisors office that they plan to honor all speaking requests. You have 3 minutes to speak.  

We thank you for your timely consideration of this important issue.  

- Jill Bolster-White, President and CEO, Transitions-Mental Health Association

*****ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 10/13/2015: A proposed 91 bed mental health hospital in Templeton is being strongly opposed. You can read more about it in the Tribune by clicking here. 

Once again, NIMBYism is destroying what is needed for the "common good". Currently there is only a single 16 bed mental health facility to serve the entire county of San Luis Obispo. However, if you have private insurance, like most do in SLO County, then you cannot use that facility. It's only for the low income on Medi-Cal and the like. Instead, you have to travel out of county. Because of this, many skip mental health services altogether...that can't be healthy, can it?

Above: CHP Rescue Helicopter, which came to the rescue of one of our hikers, who fell and cut his head open and could not hike out. Has nothing to do with mental health, except that we call these hikes "Death Marches", which means we might be a little crazy!

SLO: Progress Made in Reducing Homeless Head Count - Yeah!

On Oct 2, 2015, at 4:28 PM, Ashbaugh, John <jashbaugh@slocity.org> wrote:  

You’re receiving this email because you’ve previously corresponded with me about homeless issues, or because I happen to know about your interest through one or more of the many meetings and events that I’ve attended over nearly seven years on the SLO City Council. 

This just in: The County’s Homeless Point-in-Time survey has just being released, and it shows a 31% drop in our overall population of homeless persons. From 2,186 in 2013, the count has declined to 1,515 this year. The decline in our census of homeless veterans is even steeper, showing a 44% drop in: From 250 in 2013, the count of homeless veterans declined to 130 this year. For additional detail, you may download and view the news release or the Point-in-Time reports attached as “pdf” files here. 

There are, of course, more extensive data available in this report. Many people involved in homeless services throughout this county will be debating the significance of these trends as we move forward. Clearly, we still have a large population of homeless persons and homeless veterans. The trend line is headed in the right direction, however – and in my opinion, the credit belongs to the many agencies and individuals who are working with our homeless population in “rapid rehousing” strategies, case management, supportive services, and emergency shelter. 

We must be doing something right. Let’s keep doing that, and let us continue to learn about what else we can do to further reduce our homeless population in the years ahead. 

Final note: Please let me know if you do not want to receive further email communications from me about this issue. 

Thanks,

John Ashbaugh 
Vice Mayor
Office of the City Council
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249 
E jashbaugh@slocity.org 
T 805.781.7122 
C 805.550.7713 slocity.org

10/2/2015 at 4:36pm (Response from Tim Waag). 

Dear Mr. Ashbaugh,

That is very good news indeed. I appreciate that I am hearing the news from you, of all people. I know your heart is in the right place when it comes to the less fortunate in our community. The trend line is FINALLY headed in the right direction, and I am happy to be able to say that there is measurable progress on the 10 year plan to “end” homelessness. “End” in quotes because it will never end - there will always be homeless people, for a variety of reasons. 

A significant sign of “ending” homelessness would be that for every homeless person who asks “where can I sleep in a warm and safe place tonight, officer?” that we have an affirmative answer, no matter how messed up that person is.

Congratulations to you and to all who have worked so hard to get to this point. As you know, there remains much more to do. Seeing a continuing downward trend line at the next "Homeless Survey" count would be a good start.

Sincerely,

—Tim Waag

More information about the Homeless Census here:

The number of homeless people in San Luis Obispo County has declined by 31 percent over the past two years, but the length of time people are homeless appears to be increasing.

The Homeless Point-in-Time Census Report published every two years by the Homeless Service Oversight Council of San Luis Obispo County said the number of homeless in the county dropped from 2,186 people in 2013 to 1,515 in 2015. The number of first-time homeless dropped from 50 percent of all homeless individuals in 2013 to 33 percent this year.

As part of its plan to end homelessness, the county conducts a census of its homeless population every two years. A census of the number of homeless individuals was conducted, followed by a survey of 399 individuals that determined demographic information such as ethnicity, age and veteran’s status.

“The county receives just over $1 million a year from HUD, and it’s critical for us to provide permanent housing for folks, and that’s the impetus for doing this study every two years,” said Laurel Weir, county Homeless Services Coordinator.

An improving economy, improvements in law enforcement practices and the expansion of a federal housing program for local homeless veterans are several possible reasons for the lower number of homeless, Weir said.

“While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why the overall point-in-time numbers have so sharply declined, the decrease in homeless veterans occurred over the same period of time that we were able to house a large number of homeless veterans through the federal Veterans’ Affairs Supportive Housing program,” Weir said.

Weir does not expect the amount of federal funding to go down as a result of the new census results. “Our funding is based on a formula that does not include the number of homeless,” she said.
Additionally, the county began several new homeless assistance programs over the past year. These include the 50 Now program for the most chronically homeless persons and a program that provides rapid rehousing assistance to homeless families who are participating in the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program.

On the downside, the length of time people are homeless appears to be getting longer. In 2015, 66 percent reported being homeless for a year or more, compared to 47 percent in 2013.

The cause for this jump in the length of homelessness could be based on several factors including the low vacancy rate in homeless shelters and that fact that, because fewer people are becoming homeless, those that are homeless tend to be chronically homeless.

“This is something we are going to have to look into further,” Weir said.

The main cause of homelessness is the loss of a job or other source of income, listed by 23 percent of the respondents. Other causes were alcohol or drug use, divorce or other breakup of a relationship, argument with family or a friend and eviction.

At the behest of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the county also used new guidelines to ensure that the census report is meeting the federal standards. The county hired a consultant to make sure it was complying with the new HUD standards.

The county Homeless Services Oversight Council is a panel of elected officials, representatives of homeless service agencies, homeless workers and formally homeless individuals appointed by the county Board of Supervisors who serve three-year terms. They advise the county on how meet HUD requirements, set priorities and oversee implementation of the county homeless services program.
Key findings of 2015 homeless census

The number of homeless veterans decreased by 45 percent from 247 in 2013 to 130 in 2015.

39 percent of homeless adults reported psychiatric or emotional issues.

63 percent of homeless veterans reported psychiatric or emotional issues.

41 percent of homeless adults reported using drugs or alcohol.

381 of the homeless were youths aged 18 to 24.

South County showed the largest drop in homelessness, followed by San Luis Obispo.
Homelessness along the coast generally remained the same while the number of homeless in the North County increased.

Tribune staff writer Cynthia Lambert contributed to this report.

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SLO: Begging Local Politicians to "Do Something" About Homelessness (or Let Us Do Something)

9/25/2015 Update: The only response received by my email from the SLO City Council and the County Board of Supervisors was from Adam Hill. Mr. Hill acknowledged that we are failing in our efforts to help the homeless, due to turf wars and bureaucratic inefficiency. Well, he sure got that right. 

9/25/2015 The Pope Speaks for the Homeless and Impoverished: The Tribune newspaper ran a nice front page article "A Powerful Message for the Powerless" that encouraged those with more to help those with less, including the homeless. A few highlights from the article:
• I want to be clear: We can find no social or moral justification whatsoever for lack of housing.
• The son of G*d came into this world as a homeless person. The son of G*d knew what it was to start life without a roof over his head.
• The Pope addressed both houses of Congress before meeting with the city's homeless.
• Included in the core of the Pope's message was that we must grapple with the difficult challenges of poverty.
• All political activity must serve and promote the good of the human person.

Above: The city of SLO still claims that it has not "outlawed homelessness". Yet these signs still remain up. There are at least 1,500 homeless in our county, and all our homeless shelters combined only house a small fraction of that number. That leaves the vast majority of our homeless with their only option: sleep under the overpasses or in the creek beds.

PERSONAL: Truck Bed Camping Rules!

Above: This is my truck, and yeah, it's RED and I love it! 4x4. 6 speed Mercedes Benz Manual Trani. Cummins HO 6-cylinder Diesel. By the end of 2016, all my mods to it will be done, G*d willing. This is NOT what it looked like in stock form!

INTRODUCTION: I bought my "totally stock" 2006 Dodge Diesel truck in 2011, and immediately built this really cool truck bed camper. We call it a "Hilly Billy" RV, but it has been great for us. I found out recently that a lot of folks swear by this method of camping, and we can't disagree. I'll start with a few photos, but later will add a few links to other "Truck Bed Campers".

Let's bring in some links to other "Hill Billy" RVs, shall we?
http://www.desktodirtbag.com/pickup-truck-camping/

SLO City Council Denies Additional Housing - Again (323 & 353 Grand Ave., SLO)

*****UPDATE 6/10/2015: The Tribune The Tribune wrote a shortened version of my position piece found below in the Tribune on 6/7/2015, which you can read by clicking here. 

I find it interesting that Karen B. of SLO wrote (my paraphrase) in part: the first sentence in the project description posted on the devloper’s website state that the Grand Avenue project is the ideal location to develop homes for rental purposes. My first instinct ask: what business is that of yours? Do we now live in a world where a single family residence cannot be located in a place that is “ideal for rental purposes”? Statistically, we are told, the city of SLO consists of 62% rentals, so in my mind, it would make sense for a developer to design  and develop a project that would be suitable for the majority of the city, that is, RENTERS! Also, let’s assume it is true that the location is ideal for rentals, then that is what I would expect the developer to build! How is that a negative? Renters have to live somewhere too.

LOS ANGELES: Tiny House - Huge Purpose!

*****Update 5/25/2015: I checked in on the Tiny Home - Los Angeles "Go Fund Me" page to see how it was doing. Elvis upped the fundraising goal to $100,000, and is well on his way with more than $77,000 already in about 1 month. See "Go Fund Me" link below. 

Above: Elvis with "Smokie" next to the tiny home on wheels that Elvis built for this homeless woman.

Below is a link for an Interview between the Tiny Home Builder, Elvis, and a TV show, Good Morning Britain (GMB). A few key quotes from the interview, where Elvis tells GMB about how he started by building a homeless woman named "Smokie" a tiny home on wheels.

GMB: What made you decide to help?
Elvis: It's what we should do.
Elvis (later in interview): That's not the world I want to live in [where we let people live in destitution on the mean streets).

Project: Tiny House - Huge Purpose
This project is taking place in the county of Los Angeles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OZEwWjkKUY
http://www.gofundme.com/mythpla
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/04/29/man-builds-a-tiny-house-for-a-homeless-woman-and-made-a-big-impa/21178121/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00001348

Here is a pitch to help the homeless with affordable housing here in SLO County. Start by contributing to the "Tiny House - Huge Purpose" project in Los Angeles (I did) and maybe it can spread here to SLO, where the need is great. 

One of the most basic fundamental necessities in life is shelter. At any given time, there are well over 2,000 women, children, veterans and families homeless just in SLO County. With numbers growing daily it's becoming much more difficult to stereotype our homeless as just drug addict bums who "chose" to be or "did it to themselves". Among us are thousands of Human Beings who have ended up on the streets with nowhere to go. Once they get there, they are often treated as trash and not like humans but more like criminals or animals. Many believe we have criminalized being homeless here in SLO County.

Being homeless is NOT a crime - even though the local powers-that-be seem to treat it that way. The true crime is how we as human beings look at and treat people that are homeless. A wise person once said: “we judge the goodness of our society by how we treat the least amongst us”. By this yardstick, we are failing - badly. All homeless people want help to get off the streets, though many have given up hope and live in utter despair: dying, homeless, friendless and hungry.

How can a person begin to hope and raise themselves up if they only have the dirt beneath their feet to rest their face upon? If they are ticketed and pursued by law enforcement at every step? You can help. Every $1 makes a difference and can save a person’s life.

The "Tiny House, Huge Purpose" Project builds tiny house's for homeless Woman, Men, Children, US Veterans and Families. Please open your hearts and lend a hand by donating whatever you can (even if it's only $1). Help build a tiny home for someone's child, someone's mother, someone's brother, sister, cousin, someone's grandma or a US Veteran. Give hope, purpose and a chance back to someone who has lost everything and desperately needs a little help.

Check it out:
Tiny House - Huge Purpose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OZEwWjkKUY
http://www.gofundme.com/mythpla
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/04/29/man-builds-a-tiny-house-for-a-homeless-woman-and-made-a-big-impa/21178121/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00001348

Strangely, I tried to get some folks who are sympathetic to the plight of the homeless to consider something like this here in San Luis Obispo County - they weren't interested. Here was their response: 

The powers-that-be consider this to be a "shed" or a "shed on wheels" and thus illegal. Code prohibits a homeless person from using it as a sleeping quarters. The shed must be on a trailer with a trailer license from the DMV. This will make the unit a Traveltrailer and therefor legal to occupy and sleep in in a campground, but not on private property or on the street.

This was a disappointing response. That's the problem with those involved in trying to "end homelessness": there is no sense of urgency - I don't get it. Building these "tiniest of homes" would get the attention of the public, politicians and the local media, and emphasize the size of the problem. It would also get some of the people out of the unhealthy creaked areas and under the overpasses, where they are now.

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SLO: New Cal Poly Soccer Coach and Staff are Welcomed by Boosters

Above (click on photo to enlarge): New Cal Poly Men's Soccer Coach Steve Sampson and me.

We recently attended a "meet and greet" potluck BBQ event for the Cal Poly Men's Soccer Team, and their new coach Steve Sampson and his staff - at the Babcock's home in SLO (we were grateful for the invite!). We took a few photos, and got to meet Steve Sampson, who has had much success and fame in coaching college and professional soccer in the US and abroad. 

Above (click on photo to enlarge):  the Boosters give a new toast to welcome Coach Steve Sampson

Before coming to Cal Poly, I had seen Steve's name over and over again in US soccer news. To have him come here to Cal Poly SLO, and be able to meet him, was both an honor and a pleasure.

Steve even has his own Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Sampson

You can read about how he was named Cal Poly's soccer coach by reading here: http://www.gopoly.com/…/msoc/2014-15/releases/20141204rxne9i

and finally, you can read his Cal Poly soccer bio by going here: http://www.gopoly.com/sports/msoc/coaches/Sampson-Steve

Above (click on photo to enlarge):  Sue, Steve, hostess Cayse

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LOCAL: Hope's Village Letter in the SLO Tribune on 3/31/2015

*****Update 3/31/2015: Becky Jorgeson of Hope's Village wrote a nice "letter to the editor" to the Tribune, which was published today. You can read her letter with the caption of "Many Great Villages" by clicking here. In her letter, she thanks the Tribune for their coverage of her cause, and reiterates the need for a parcel of land in which to plant the first Hope's Village.

Anyways, here is Becky's letter, as the link to the Tribune above does not always work:

Becky Jorgeson, founder of Hope's Village of SLO, was showing off this cabin at Home Depot in San Luis Obispo on Tuesday. She hopes to build villages of these tiny homes around SLO County.

I just want to thank Cynthia Lambert for her great article on Wednesday (“Nonprofit seeks land for a village”), and whoever wrote that wonderful bouquet to us in a recent paper!

Thanks to you, Hope’s Village of SLO is closer than ever to getting 50 more homeless folks off the streets and out of the bushes. We’ll serve those people living on the streets of San Luis Obispo who are ineligible for other services because of a million different reasons. If you know anyone in the world with a tiny plot of rural-type land (3 to 5 acres) outside San Luis Obispo city limits that they’d like a great tax write off on, or someone who would give us a longterm inexpensive lease, please advise.

Once we get the first village up and running, we can duplicate in North County; hence the name (Hope’s Village of Paso Robles, or Hope’s Village of Arroyo Grande, or Hope’s Village of Morro Bay). Time to get more proactive. We can reduce homelessness in our town, in our time!

*****Original Post - 3/28/2015: I am a huge supporter of Hope's Village of SLO. They were recently featured in the Tribune newspaper of San Luis Obispo on March 25, 2015 on page A3. You can read that article in the Tribune by Clicking Here. The reason for my support is that I support all options for affordable housing on the Central Coast - and so should you. Some excerpts from the Tribune article below (in blue):

The Hope's Village nonprofit's goal is to create a self-sustaining community of tiny homes in various parts of San Luis Obispo County, starting in or around San Luis Obispo. The idea is to augment existing services, not compete with them...

A village of 30 small, solar-powered dwellings could house about 50 adults in a drug-and-alcohol free space with a “common house” where residents could cook, shower and wash their clothes. The village would have private security and a council of residents who would meet regularly, Jorgeson said.

What the group needs ... is land ... around San Luis Obispo for about 5 acres on which to cluster the tiny homes, the common house and additional space for a garden and a workshop where residents could start small businesses such as refurbishing furniture.

Hope’s Village has constructed one model home; a 7-by-11-foot cabin that cost about $3,900 to build... In the meantime, the organization’s other project, RVs for Veterans, is still going strong. The organization, which passes on donated recreational vehicles to homeless veterans, just received its 37th donation. 

Article by Cynthia Lambert - (805) 781-7929. 

Above: Interior of Hope's Village Cabin on Wheels.

In addition, I support Hope's Village's other program: RV for Veterans, which receives donated RVs, makes minor repairs to them, and donates them to our homeless vets.

Other forms of affordable housing possibilities (besides Tiny Home Villages such as Hope's Village) include (in no particular order):
• Co-operative housing
• Building Codes in Municipalities which allow Affordable Green Micro-Housing to be built
• Expansion of "granny units" within existing residential
• Legalizing "HomeShare" to allow people to share existing housing
• Converting the sizable portion of unoccupied housing into rental housing
• Tent cities: Empty land with legal tents for the homeless, with basic services on site
• Permanent Tiny Home Villages that do not require them to be on a Trailer
• RV and Modular Home Parks, including Trailer Parks
• Allowing living units to be built on top of retail units on the ground floor
Most or all of the above affordable housing options are not being created in SLO county at this time, to my knowledge. 

The reality is that existing so-called Affordable Housing activities by all levels of government do not produce actually produce affordable housing in volumes that make a dent in the problem. For evidence of that, all you have to do is look around - how much "affordable housing" can you find? Answer: pretty much none. I define Affordable Housing as 30% of total income going to housing and utilities. For a person earning $10 per hour ($18,200 per year), that is about $450 per month.

Note that Affordable Housing is in demand in order to house the unhoused, as well as to allow low income adults to spend a smaller percentage of their total income for housing. Typically, most low income families in SLO pay 50 to 70% of their income towards housing and utilities, leaving little for the rest of life's essentials.

Above: Hope's Village's "Cabin on Wheels", shown at night with festive lights!

You can contact Becky Jorgeson, President of Hope's Village at 805/234-5478 for more information, or email her at beckyrjorgeson@yahoo.com. As with all local non-profits, donations are always needed, especially once Hope's Village procure a site for their Village.

Below is a conversation from Facebook on this article about Hope's Village. I only show the first names of all the folks participating, while leaving my name "Tim Waag" complete.

• Leslie - Thanks Tim Waag. Being on disability shouldn't have put me on the streets. I was scared how people would react to me. El Segundo to this. Weird and trippy ride. 

  March 28 at 3:39pm · Unlike · 1
• 

  Tim Waag Agreed, Leslie. People on disability should not have to live under our overpasses, in our doorways, or in creek beds. We have a massive unhoused population here in SLO (relative to the population at large).

  March 28 at 3:43pm · Like · 2
• Leslie - Its scary.

  March 28 at 3:52pm · Unlike · 1
• 

  Tim Waag Yes, it's scary - especially for women, for whom it is scary and dangerous.

  March 28 at 3:56pm · Like · 1
• Leslie - Too true. People come down to do their dope and walk by and hang out in front of tent hell I have had someone try to get in. Hate it.

  March 28 at 4:07pm · Unlike · 1
• Tracy - Thank you, Tim . I will read and definitely support!

  March 28 at 6:53pm · Unlike · 2
• 

  Tim Waag Thanks Tracy. Note that when Hope's Village acquires a property and develops their "Village", it will only be a drop in the bucket towards creating enough affordable housing for the homeless and the low income. HV envisions a village with 30 small cabi...See More

  March 29 at 7:45am · Like · 3
• 

  Tim Waag On January 26, 2015, I participated in SLO County's Point in Time Survey, and wrote about it here: http://timwaagblog.blogspot.com/.../slo-point-in-time-pit...
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  TimWaagBlog: SLO: Point-In-Time (PIT) Homeless Census 1/26/2015 Report

  Just a regular old Central Coast guy who raised some...

  TIMWAAGBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM|BY TIM WAAG

  March 29 at 7:48am · Edited · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
• Sally - Tim, is the 30 small cabin limit due to money and resource constraints?

  March 29 at 8:33am · Unlike · 1
• 

  Tim Waag Not that I know of. It's just their plan. Once the first "Village" is established, they hope to create more of them.

  March 29 at 8:41am · Like · 1
• Sally - That's what I was hoping. So it's like a test bed, so to speak. You'll keep us posted on the status of the place I hope.

  March 29 at 8:44am · Unlike · 1
• 

  Tim Waag Yep. Just one model for the solution to affordable housing. One of many. A few more (from my blog post on the topic): Other forms of affordable housing possibilities (besides Tiny Home Villages such as Hope's Village) include (in no particular order):...See More

  March 29 at 8:49am · Like
• Sally - Yeah, I read that in your article. Affordable housing was what got Daniel and I through the tough times in the form of a couple of trailer parks. They were both fantastic. It's sad that they are getting closed down around here. We were able to make a small investment in the trailer on the lot too.

  March 29 at 8:52am · Unlike · 2
• 

  Tim Waag The trend is towards Trailer parks getting closed down around here also - the land is too valuable. Certainly, none being built, even though we have the land to do so.

  March 29 at 11:55am · Like
• Sally - Yes. In the SoCal area here, there was a guy who wanted to close down a mobile home/trailer park but had to provide new housing for the residents before the closure. So what he did to try to skirt that law is he let the trailer park go to pot and soo...See More

  March 29 at 12:07pm · Edited · Like
• Sally - BTW, thanks for the greatly informative blog!

  March 29 at 12:21pm · Like

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