Tonight on The Real Issue, I want to play an interview with Ed Mayer, the executive director of the Housing Authority of Butte County. I recorded this interview about 6 weeks ago but I want to play it tonight for two reasons. One, the homeless crisis is not getting better, and it is not going away anytime soon.
And two, the interview with Ed Mayer received more response from listeners than I have ever received before. It was so insightful and honest and in these times when there are lots of misinformation flying around, I thought we might need a reminder of what it true.
But first, this week the Greater Chico Homeless Taskforce voted to end its collaboration with the City of City after Councilmember Kami Denlay called for a discussion about the committee and possibly turning it into a City Commission. The reasons for this move were unclear at the time, and remain so, with many observers believing that this is move is politically motivated.
The task force is collaborative community group that includes service providers, city staff and the general public. It has been around for 25 years, and many community organizations in Chico today grew out of the Task Force, including the Torres Shelter and Chico Housing Action Team.
The mission of the Greater Chico Homeless Task Force states, “Because housing is a basic human right, the greater chico homeless task force members will collaborate in order to problem solve, plan, advocate and work together to remove barriers/increase access to safe and decent housing and supportive services for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.
