East Palo Alto Council Halts Mayor’s Plan to Clear Encampments

East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio Lopez had been working with nearby cities on a plan to clear homeless encampments. The goal was to provide multiple notices in advance, share housing resources, and provide access to regional services for homeless individuals living in encampments. However, Lopez’s formal plan was tanked by his council colleagues who declared his efforts a “waste of staff time” and didn’t recognize much of the efforts East Palo Alto has already done to address homelessness.

Councilmember Carlos Romero, who has previously made personal attacks against Lopez, stated that the council was not included in any prior discussion of this issue, and he believed much of the Mayor’s proposal was a campaign tactic. Other council members agreed and stated their disdain that Lopez’ proposal has already garnered media attention. Lopez noted the issue is before them and it was his goal to provide a robust plan that coordinated services across nearby cities. City Manager Melvin Gaines even chimed in that council should not lose site of the need to get the homeless off the streets and into safe and stable housing. Ultimately, the council declined to consider the plan to remove encampments.

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