Santa Fe is once again considering establishing a safe outdoor space for people without housing.
Councilor Jamie Cassutt told 九色网 that since the pandemic began, homelessness has increased.
"The city spends roughly $14 million a year addressing homelessness but not solving it," she said. That could mean cleaning up encampments, sending emergency services or police interactions.
Cassutt said from a public health perspective, safe outdoor spaces are one of many needed interventions. She said some people won't stay in shelters for reasons including lack of privacy or a place for pets. So she introduced a in a city council meeting Wednesday that would start a process to find a site and work with social service providers.
"We can put up these pallet houses, these tiny homes, essentially, that are a place that people can lock their doors," she said. "And there will also be 24/7 supervision and services provided."
Similar proposals have proved controversial. Last year a proposal for an encampment at Santa Fe鈥檚 Midtown Campus was after opposition from nearby residents. Also, last year, two months after approving safe outdoor spaces, the .
The resolution in Santa Fe will now be discussed in several committees. If it passes them, the city's governing body will vote on it later this month.
