Category: Housing & homelessness

Council increases security, code enforcement at Alternative Camping Site

Unanimous Council vote increases nighttime security for the neighborhood
by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 22, 2025
Public Works Director Erik Gustafson. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

The Chico City Council voted Oct. 21 to increase visits by Jesus Center staff to the Alternative Camping Site from twice a week to seven days a week, and to have Armed Guard Private Security patrol not only the site, but also the nearby neighborhood.

The plan will be implemented for two months at the north Chico homeless encampment, after which time City staff will return to the Council with an assessment.

Meanwhile, the City will incorporate several new rules into the site’s code of conduct, require that residents who are now eligible for the Genesis pallet shelter relocate there, and provide pallet pads to help raise existing tents off the ground.

The updated Code of Conduct for unhoused people living on a corner lot at Eaton and Cohasset roads will prohibit the addition of any structure of any kind to an assigned space; will ban certain items — including generators, full or empty gas cans, electrical cords and propane tanks of any size; and will permit animal fencing but only with prior approval. read more

Tiny homes win on a split Council vote

NSST wants four tiny homes for pilot project
by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 8, 2025
Mason speaks at the City Council meeting. Screenshot photo by Yucheng Tang.

The disagreement around tiny homes for the unhoused, at the end of the Oct. 8 City Council meeting, centered on whether to limit the number that will be allowed on a church parking lot. 

There were two motions on the table when one of the two passed 4-3 — supporting a pilot program for tiny homes on a church parking lot that can house women. The motion directs City staff to move forward with the plan that was presented earlier by the North State Shelter Team (NSST). Most importantly, compared to the other motion, this motion doesn’t limit the number of houses that will be provided. 

Before the motion passed, there were tense moments with a 3–3 split on the Council. Three conservative councilmembers — Tom van Overbeek, Mike O’Brien and Dale Bennett — voted against the motion, and the three progressive councilmembers — Addison Winslow, Bryce Goldstein, and Katie Hawley — voted in favor.  read more

Alternative Site resident discusses hurtful stereotyping

by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 8, 2025

After a lengthy public hearing Oct. 7 over the City’s Alternative Camping Site, a resident, Michael Morgan, speaks with ChicoSol about the unfair assumptions people make about the encampment and who lives there.

Happiness is in giving, says local attorney

Changemaker: Ron Reed takes on problems from East Africa to Butte County
by Yucheng Tang | Posted September 23, 2025
Attorney Ron Reed. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

Changemaker is an occasional series that highlights community members contributing interesting work. Submit ideas for the series to chicosolnews@gmail.com.

Chico attorney Ron Reed’s life falls into two distinct chapters: One of getting, and one of giving.

Before turning 47, he was a land developer in Wyoming, trying to earn enough money so he could do nothing after retirement. After 47, he retired, sold out everything in Wyoming, and moved to Chico, but then attended McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, beginning a busy second half of his life.

During the past 40 years, he has served as a public defender for juvenile defendants, made 28 trips to Tanzania to help local communities build water wells, and initiated a 12-unit housing program for the unhoused in Butte County.  read more

Chico City Council looks for alternatives to Alternative Camping Site

by Yucheng Tang | Posted September 18, 2025
Brenda Sallee speaks at the Council meeting earlier this week. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

The City Council voted unanimously Sept. 17 to identify location and service options for the Cohasset and Eaton Roads camping site where unhoused people have lived for several years, sheltered only by tents. The Council’s motion directs staff to look at alternative locations, whether the camp could be split among smaller sites and possible collaboration with service providers.

The discussion was initiated by Councilmember Mike O’Brien after a resident living in the neighborhood brought up safety concerns at a recent meeting. 

Erik Gustafson, Chico Public Works director, addressed the Council on challenges that Public Works has with the site and recent improvements that have been made. During public comment, neighborhood residents raised safety concerns about the north Chico campground and one camper, Brenda Sallee, spoke. read more

Araujo-Sariñana finds a path in mutual aid

Changemaker: A song about a greedy landlord plants a seed for Araujo-Sariñana
by Yucheng Tang | Posted June 10, 2025
Juan Araujo-Sariñana

“The landlord’s here to visit/They’re blasting disco down below/Says, ‘I’m doubling up the rent ’cause the building’s condemned/You’re gonna help me buy City Hall‘/But we can/You know we can/Let’s lynch the landlord man” — the Dead Kennedys

At age 17, Juan Araujo-Sariñana discovered punk rock music that now, 20 years later, still influences his life.

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, one of his favorite albums by one of his favorite singers, Jello Biafra, was something he listened to often back in high school. In that album, there’s a song called “Let’s Lynch the Landlord.”

Biafra’s song planted the seed for the cause Araujo-Sariñana is dedicated to now: Distributing food and resources to those who have lost their homes. “Jello Biafra was one of the influencers in my early life and radicalized me,” he said.  read more