The Chula Vista City Council voted unanimously this week to restrict camping on public property, joining a growing number of California cities.
The decision bans camping near schools, parks, transit stops and sensitive conservation areas. It also prohibits lying, sleeping and storing personal possessions in public areas.
The vote follows a state executive order encouraging cities to clear encampments and a U.S. Supreme Court decision removing barriers to local anti-camping restrictions.
A press release stressed the city’s past efforts to “address the underlying causes of homelessness,” including providing detox centers and housing and services for vulnerable groups.
However, city leaders also acknowledged that there are an estimated 780 unsheltered individuals in town with only 189 are housed in emergency or transitional shelters.
Advocacy groups like the National Alliance to End Homelessness argue that banning encampments is a costly and ineffective strategy. But Mayor John McCann maintained that the new policy would improve access to public amenities for children and older adults.
Tuesday’s vote was the first of two required to finalize the changes. A second vote is expected to take place at the Oct. 1 council meeting.
If approved, the ordinance would take effect 30 days later.