Two cities act on homelessness

The Gridley City Council unanimously declared a shelter crisis Monday night (Sept. 17), making that municipality the second in Butte County to seek a share of state funds allocated to alleviate homelessness.

Meanwhile, the first to issue a shelter declaration, the Oroville City Council, voted Tuesday night (Sept. 18) to put $175,000 in bond money toward Haven of Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit planning to operate a mobile hygiene unit that will provide showers and laundry services for homeless people countywide. (See “Driving hope,” Newslines, May 24.)

State legislation enacted in June earmarks $500 million to local jurisdictions that declare a shelter crisis, of which Butte County’s share is estimated at $4.9 million. The Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider a declaration Tuesday (Sept. 25); the Chico City Council plans to deliberate Oct. 2.