In the small city of Yreka, California, a crisis is unfolding. As temperatures soar and community tensions rise, the city’s approach to homelessness has become a flashpoint for debate, revealing deep divisions and a troubling lack of immediate action from those in power.
The story of Yreka’s struggle with homelessness is not new. It began years ago with the Beacon of Hope Gospel Rescue Mission, a well-intentioned project that aimed to provide not just shelter, but a path to self-sufficiency for the city’s homeless population. Despite its noble goals, the mission faced a gauntlet of challenges – regulatory hurdles, financial constraints, and community resistance. By 2023, the Beacon of Hope had fallen silent, its website dark and its promise unfulfilled.
The City of Yreka is working to establish a permanent homeless campsite next to Hope House, which city officials hope will be ready to use in three months.
Siskiyou Daily News: June 28th, 2021 “Beacon of Hope’s homeless shelter in Yreka is ‘a labor of love,’ should be ready in 2022”
In the wake of this failure, Yreka is now pinning its hopes on a new initiative: Yreka Basecamp. Set to open in June 2024, this year-round homeless shelter promises to offer addiction and mental health care services alongside basic shelter. Funded by a $2 million grant from Proposition 47, Basecamp represents a more comprehensive approach to the issue. But for many in Yreka, June 2024 might as well be a lifetime away.
The city’s homeless population isn’t waiting for Basecamp to open its doors. They’re here now, facing immediate challenges that demand urgent solutions. This reality has sparked heated debates in city council meetings, exposing a community deeply divided on how to address the issue.
On one side are those who advocate for a law enforcement approach, arguing that homeless individuals should be arrested for trespassing. It’s a stance born of frustration, but one that ignores the practical realities of an overtaxed police force and an overcrowded jail system. On the other side are voices calling for more humane solutions – low barrier shelters, pallet shelters, and regulated encampments. These debates recently culminated in a controversial 4-1 vote approving the first reading of an ordinance that critics say effectively criminalizes homelessness.
But while politicians debate and plan for the future, Yreka’s homeless population faces immediate, life-threatening challenges. A recent heat wave that saw temperatures soar to 105°F brought these issues into sharp focus. As the mercury climbed, community activist Dawnmarie Autry took it upon herself to advocate for the opening of emergency cooling centers. Her efforts were met with a wall of bureaucratic indifference.
Mayor Corey Middleton, when contacted about the possibility of opening a cooling shelter, reportedly offered a litany of excuses. His response was interpreted by some as suggesting that saving lives was simply “too much like work.” Meanwhile, Board of Supervisor Nancy Ogren flatly stated that the County would not open a cooling center in the Behavioral Health Red Oak Room, a location previously used for warming centers during cold snaps.
This apparent paralysis in the face of a clear and present danger has left many in the community feeling abandoned by their elected officials. “No one with the power to do something cares,” has become a common refrain among frustrated residents.
The situation in Yreka serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges faced by small communities grappling with homelessness. It’s a crisis that demands both long-term planning and immediate action, a balance that Yreka’s officials seem to be struggling to strike.
As the city moves forward, several critical issues demand attention. There’s an urgent need for clear, actionable emergency protocols that can be quickly implemented during extreme weather events. The community is calling for greater accountability from its elected officials, demanding transparency in decision-making and responsiveness to urgent needs.
In the absence of official action, grassroots efforts led by community members like Dawnmarie Autry have become crucial. These citizens are stepping up to fill the gaps left by official inaction, advocating for the vulnerable and raising awareness about immediate needs.
The path forward for Yreka is far from clear. While projects like Yreka Basecamp offer hope for the future, they must be complemented by responsive short-term interventions. The community’s ability to navigate these challenges will depend on finding a way to bridge the gap between long-term planning and immediate action, between compassion and practical concerns.
As summer heat gives way to winter cold, and as debates continue in city hall, Yreka’s homeless population remains caught in the middle. Their story is a reminder that behind every policy debate and long-term plan are real people facing real, immediate challenges. It’s a reality that demands not just discussion, but action – and it demands it now.
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A technique used in survival in my family was adobe (brick). Adobe kept us cool and warm in different climates. It’s something my ancestors have used for centuries (tried and true) for housing/shelter. If housing/tenting costs are an issue, sometimes the answer is beneath you.
People on one side want to sweep the problems under the rug and call it a day while others are still trying to do what’s morally and ethically right. The irony is that the people that refuse to do anything to help or want to enforce this “trespassing” issue are the very same who benefit/ted from both public and social services.
I guess people are still drinking up the good ol’ Jefferson cool-aid and trying to become something politically asinine just to keep everyone and everything out of their lives if it’s an inconvenience to them.
I watched the videos on facebook about the encampment from Last Fall and Winter. I saw a great Pry dog watching the drone as it flew over in the Drone footage. There were 3 Pry dogs, 2 males and one female in one tent. Both a male and female were adopted. One male remained at the Yreka Animal Control in April 2024 and we adopted Kasper Wyoming. He is doing well. Two people died when they did not seek shelter last December 2023/January 2024. Are we about to repeat all the tragedy from last Fall and Winter again?