LC 3.4 Homeless Integration Act (Passed)

[DKrol]

Mr. Speaker,

My only concern with this bill is pegging the budget at 0.2% of the Lincoln budget. What if, after a year or two, we realize the need is far greater and the Department needs more funds? I would hate to see a time when there are homeless yearning for aid but the Department's budget allocation was pegged too low, and they continue to need. I propose the following amendment:

Homeless Integration Act

Section I: Homeless aide

1. The Region of Lincoln shall ensure fair housing to the homeless by the establishment of the Department of Landless People (D.P.L.)
    a. The budget for the department shall be 0.2% of set out in the annual Lincoln budget at an amount that is correlated to the need of the Department but shall never be less than 0.2% of the total spending in the Department
    b. The department shall ensure that the needs of the Homeless are ensured
        I. 30% of the allocated funds shall be designated for nutritional needs of the homeless
        II. 40% of the allocated funds shall be taking care of housing concerns
             1. The creation of public homeless shelters (40%)
             2. Sanitation and inspection control (60%)
             3. In no way, when faced with crowded conditions and need of supply, shall the government of Lincoln pay for rent
        III. 20% of the allocated funds shall be designated for job and vocational training programs         
        IV. 10% of the allocated funds shall be directed to subsiding the medical needs of the participants
    c. In crowded conditions among a lack of supply, homeless and landless people shall be sent to vacant private housing
            I. Taking up 10% of each building unit
            II. Kicking out renters for room is deemed a breach of protocol
                1. Punishable by a $5,000 fine
2. The Region of Lincoln shall allocate 35% of its Luxury Tax to pay for the establishment of subsidized
    housing for the landless people of Lincoln
3. Any vagrancy or squatting laws affecting public property in Lincoln are hereby nullified
4. Anti-homeless architecture is hereby deemed illegal in Lincoln
   a. Such as
        I. Spikes on public property clearly in reach of a possible sleeping area
        II. Middle handles on benches or other flat space on public sitting arrangements
Section II: initiation

1. This act takes effect on June 28th, 2022

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[DKrol]

I'm with the Speaker.

Nay.

[DKrol]

Mr. Speaker,

I submit an amendment.

Homeless Integration Act

Section I: Homeless aide

1. The Region of Lincoln shall ensure fair housing to the homeless by the establishment of the Department of Landless People (D.P.L.)
    a. The budget for the department shall be 0.2% of the annual Lincoln budget
    b. The department shall ensure that the needs of the Homeless are ensured, these needs include
        I. 30% of the allocated funds shal be allocated to the nutritional needs of the homeless
        II. 40% of the allocated funds shall be taking care of Their housing concerns
             1. The creation of public homeless shelters (40%)
             2. Sanitation and inspection control (60%)
             3. In no way, when faced with crowded conditions and need of supply, shall the government of Lincoln pay for rent
        III. 20% of the allocated funds shall be designated for Job and vocational training programs        
        IV. 10% of the allocated funds shall be directed to subsiding the medical needs of the participants
   c. In crowded conditions among a lack of supply, homeless and landless people shall be sent to vacant private housing
            I. Taking up 10% of each building unit
            II. Kicking out renters for room is deemed a breach of protocol
                1. Punishable by a $5,000 fine
2. The Region of Lincoln shall allocate 35% of its Luxury Tax to pay for the establishment of subsidized
    housing for the landless people of Lincoln
3. Any vagrancy or squatting laws affecting public property in Lincoln are hereby nullified
4. Anti-homeless architecture is hereby deemed illegal in Lincoln
   a. Such as the following examples
        I. Spikes on public property clearly in reach of a possible sleeping area
        II. Middle handles on benches or other flat space on public sitting arrangements
Section II: initiation

1. This act takes effect on June 28th, 2022

For Lincolnites with mobility issues or other physical impairments, middle handles on benches and other public sitting arrangements are critical to their use of the bench. I know several Lincolnites who need to use the leverage from handles on both sides of their body in order to get up and down without the assistance of another person. I believe that II,4,a,II would be a disservice to a large portion of our region's population who have such impairments. While I respect the goal of giving the homeless a place to lie down, I think we also need to consider the needs of those among us who are not as fit and able as some of us here may be.

[DKrol]

I respectfully object to the above amendment.

1) The wording removed with L 3:11 should stay removed.

2) I understand the Councilor's concerns, however the benches classified in the bill are undeniably associated with the philosophy of "anti-homeless architecture." If we are seeking to generally forbid hostile design, I would argue that striking the bench line from the legislation muddles its definition (not that there is a concrete definition of this architecture - nor a measure in place to enforce banning certain architectural designs).

I would ask Councilor DKrol to respond to these objections.

Mr. Speaker,

On your first point, I agree. When I wrote the amendment, the L 3:11 had not been passed yet. I did not want to mimic that language in case L 3:11 was rejected and my amendment could be seen as a hostile attempt to push through the amendment.

On your second point, I believe that the needs of the physically impaired could be compromised by the wording of the bill. Perhaps if we could agree upon some language making it clear that the middle bar would have to be installed in the design with the purpose and intent of obstructing homeless people from sleeping there.

[DKrol]

Mr. Speaker, I support your amendment. I motion to table my amendment in favor of yours.

[DKrol]

Aye