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2mo ago

Fremont Passes Sweeping Ban on Homeless Encampments and Aid

The new ordinance criminalizes camping on public property and includes penalties for those assisting homeless individuals, raising concerns among advocates.

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There are 12 homeless people living at "the slabs", an encampment that has stood under the overpass of Osgood Road and Washington Boulevard in Fremont for at least five years. A new camping ban Fremont is set to approve would make camping anywhere without permission from the city or the property owner a misdemeanor.
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Homeless encampments are seen in Fermont, California on February 12, 2025.

Overview

  • The Fremont City Council voted 6-1 to pass a new anti-camping ordinance, prohibiting homeless encampments and penalizing those who assist in setting them up.
  • Violators of the law, including those 'aiding or abetting' encampments, face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, though officials claim enforcement will be rare.
  • Advocates and service providers warn that vague language in the law could hinder efforts to provide food, clothing, or other support to unhoused individuals.
  • The ordinance follows a 2024 Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to ban outdoor sleeping without needing to offer shelter, with over 40 California cities adopting similar measures.
  • Critics argue the policy criminalizes homelessness and charity while failing to address the lack of shelter beds or affordable housing solutions in Fremont.