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Orozco, Norma From: Nathaniel Greensides <mynci90@gmaii.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2021 3:28 PM To: eComment, Hernandez, Johnathan Subject: Closed Session Items March 2, 2021 - Item 1 Dear City Council and Councilmember Hernandez, As of today, the cops are attempting to further displace city residents who do not have the financial capability to maintain a roof over their heads. In other words, "homeless" community members and residents are being harassed by the police and the City's anti poor people policies are penalizing El Centro Cultural de Mexico (a community center created by and for residents) for an issue which can easily be solved. Being "homeless" isn't just about people who live in exposure to the elements, it also looks like families (note that I didn't state just "a family") living cramped together in old cars and RVs which are also heavily policed. It looks like students who can't get their homework done because they aren't sure where "home" will be that night. It looks like unpermitted habitations being created in garages without access to their own bathroom. "Homelessness" is more than just living in exposure to the elements. Homelessness also looks like an eviction notice for a no-fault eviction simply because the landlord wants to jack up the rent and the Ellis Act allows for such. A stable community is "home". That home should not be allowed to be so easily destroyed by legal processes favoring the ability of landlords to destroy community. This is the only complicating factor which is preventing the issue from getting easily solved - the idea that only certain individuals are allowed to have power over our community and land. California law provides tenants the right to quiet enjoyment of the place in which they reside. Police harassment and presence infringes upon this right. Even apart from the pandemic, our community members who aren't able to enjoy residing in a safe, stable, and affordable dwelling because of the continued housing crisis should never be subjected to harassment and further displacement by law enforcement. Nor should we allow for penalties upon any persons who may be providing space for people to simply exist in peace. The ultimate irony here too is that literally next to the parking lot at El Centro is a giant parking structure which houses police vehicles. I find it telling that a bunch of inanimate war -mongering equipment/objects owned by the police get to have a roof over their heads while people and residents do not. You may be wondering, what is the "simple" solution? Well, "Homelessness" will not go away until people have a place to call home. As easily as the City can reduce in -lieu fees for developers who already have enough money (which might be considered a "hand-out" by some accounts), just as easily as the Federal Government can give CDBG grants to alleviate housing issues, so too can our elected officials declare and act upon finding stable and secure housing for those who are in our community. I beseech the Council to waive all penalty fees imposed upon El Centro relating to this matter. I beseech the Council to condemn the presence of any law enforcement officers upon the residents who are currently residing at El Centro especially during this continued pandemic. I hope that the council may do the right thing. Best regards, Nathaniel Greensides