Vol. VI, No. 1,246
—After roughly six months of false starts, delays, and political friction, the Oakland City Council on Tuesday approved a sweeping repeal and replacement of its Encampment Abatement Policy, advancing a new framework long championed by Councilmember Ken Houston.
The vote—5-1-1, with Councilmember Noel Gallo opposed, Councilmember Carroll Fife abstaining, and Councilmember Janani Ramachandran excused—caps a contentious process that exposed deep divisions over how the city should confront its entrenched homelessness crisis.
Houston, who forcefully advocated for the overhaul, brought multimedia presentations and large photographs to the council dais, underscoring what he described as inhumane living conditions in encampments across Oakland.
—“The EAP did not work. It worked for that time. It’s not working right now,” Houston said, acknowledging the previous policy’s limits while arguing the city must adapt. He also conceded the new approach is not a cure-all. “This won’t fix everything.”
The revised policy introduces several key changes, including transportation assistance for people displaced from encampments—particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities—and additional procedural steps when families with children are involved.
Houston framed the overhaul as a necessary effort to bring clarity to city operations, especially for the Department of Transportation and Oakland Police.
That delineation was echoed by city staff. Department of Transportation Director Josh Rowan emphasized that his department would remain focused on core functions.
“We need to stick with paving streets and removing abandoned autos, and the things we do well,” Rowan said. “It’s simply far too much risk for our technicians to be interacting with people on the streets.”
—Under the policy, DOT will handle citations and towing of abandoned vehicles, while law enforcement responsibilities remain with the Oakland Police Department.
Still, the measure drew sharp criticism from some councilmembers and advocates who argued it leans too heavily on enforcement without addressing root causes.
Fife, who abstained, said the process felt rushed and predetermined She also raised equity concerns, warning the policy could disproportionately impact communities of color.
—“The answer to homelessness is homes,” Fife said. Where will the homeless go with this policy?, she asked? “I can’t support legislation that is going to perpetuate racist policies that impact my people more than anybody.”
Gallo, the lone no vote, took a different tack—arguing the city has failed to fully deploy its existing resources.
“We just got through celebrating Easter Sunday and all those holidays that Jesus said take care of the needy. Take care of the poor,” Gallo said. “Jesus wasn’t out there in a church or a cathedral worth $10 million. He was on the hillsides.”
Despite the objections, a majority of the council coalesced around Houston’s argument, along with minor amendment, that the city needed a clearer, more actionable policy after months of drift.
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CITY NEWS: Hayward’s budget crunch starts to hit home.
Union City approves long-delayed BART mural project honoring Decoto’s Latino heritage.
FALL OF SWALWELL: The latest: the story appears ready to envelop other political figures.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Form 497 large campaign contributions filed on April 15.
—EPISODE 129—A once ascending political career has is on the brink of collapsed. In this episode, we break down the mounting sexual misconduct claims facing Eric Swalwell.
