A new state bill would give the Santa Clara Valley Water District more authority to help homeless people living on district lands.
Jim Beall, a Valley Water board member since December and a longtime South Bay leader, said under the current law, the district isn't allowed to do much more than clean up trash and debris along the creeks where homeless people live, costing about $2.4 million per year.
Valley Water owns and manages 294 miles of streams and habitat. Officials said 2,300 people currently live on district property, often in encampments near waterways, which can be dangerous due to flash flooding, among other factors. Human waste and other debris from encampments can lead to degraded water quality and habitats for animals.
Bart Broome, Valley Water's assistant officer for state government relations, said a little financial flexibility for the district could go a long way. He said the district would only be using a"small part" of the existing tax funds on these efforts, but said it's too early to pinpoint a number. Homeless advocate Richard Scott said Valley Water, San Jose and other government agencies have been"ruthless" in their sweeps of various encampments in recent years, but said he trusts the intent of the bill if Beall is heading up the effort.Scott said in addition to creating more permanent affordable and supportive housing, the district should work with the county or cities to invest quickly in temporary solutions.
Homeless advocate Scott Largent said people living near Coyote Creek and other water district lands were effectively forced into those areas after being pushed out of other parts of the city, such as the Spring Street encampment, sidewalks and underpasses.
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