Commission approves resolution supporting sanctioned-campground pilot, 7–1

The Housing and Homelessness Commission voted 7–1 to approve an amended resolution supporting a municipal sanctioned-campground pilot program and directed staff to forward the recommendation to the assembly for consideration.

The resolution (Resolution 2026-01) endorses the findings of the sanctioned/allowed camping task force and recommends establishing three separate campground sites—intended to serve men, women and families—each with 24-hour security, secured storage and on-site service connections. Commission members debated whether the resolution should read as a recommendation or a binding commitment and ultimately added language recognizing that sanctioned campgrounds are not a permanent solution to homelessness.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the resolution is intended to put the idea on the public record and to encourage potential operators and champions to step forward, not to set an immediate operational timeline. A Mayor’s Office representative told the commission that earlier micro-unit projects demonstrated how difficult start-up, contracting and operations can be and that new pilot sites would require a dedicated operator and funding commitments to be viable.

Shanae Williams, a commissioner who spoke repeatedly during the debate, said the resolution’s purpose was ‘‘to get it out there, get it on the public record’’ and to solicit feedback from potential providers and clients. Commissioner Laura Ryan raised questions about seasonality and whether investments in hard-sided structures should be made if a pilot would only run temporarily.

The commission adopted a subsidiary amendment to add a statement that the approach is not a permanent solution to homelessness and then approved the amended resolution. The clerk announced a final tally of 7 yes to 1 no; the commission chair declared the measure passed.

Next steps: staff will forward the amended resolution to the assembly as a recommendation and the assembly would decide whether to allocate funding or direct administration to implement a pilot. The resolution does not create funding or a contract; those steps would require subsequent action by the assembly or administration.