Andrew Cross for Governor: Managed Campground Proposal to Address Homeless Encampments (Updated for 2025)

I propose a bold solution to tackle the growing issue of homeless encampments, such as those causing safety concerns and nuisances for residents off Orange Avenue in City Heights, San Diego. My plan leverages state parks and recreation departments to acquire abandoned and undeveloped lots in urban areas, transforming them into managed campgrounds. These campgrounds will provide a safe, affordable, and structured alternative to street encampments, with amenities to support hygiene, job-seeking, and community involvement. Below is the updated proposal, adjusted for 2025 economic conditions and enhanced with community-driven funding and operational strategies.

Key Features of the Managed Campgrounds

Acquisition and Setup:

State parks and recreation departments will acquire abandoned and undeveloped lots in urban areas like City Heights. Multiple lots will be established in each city to maximize capacity, with overall square footage varying but potentially large across all sites (e.g., 5 lots totaling 50,000 sq. ft. in a city like San Diego, accommodating 25 tent spaces or 75-125 people).

These lots will be transformed into managed campgrounds with basic infrastructure: tents, showers, bathrooms, and trees/bushes for privacy and shade.

Call to Action

This proposal offers a practical, community-driven solution to homeless encampments, balancing affordability, safety, and sustainability. By voting for me, Andrew Cross, as governor, you support innovative policies that empower communities like City Heights to address homelessness with dignity and structure. Check out my profile for more details, and let’s be bold—vote gold!

Overview

This proposal addresses the growing issue of homeless encampments, like those on Orange Avenue in City Heights, San Diego, where residents are frustrated with safety concerns and nuisances (per FOX 5 San Diego). By creating managed campgrounds on small, urban lots, we can provide a structured, affordable alternative that supports hygiene, job-seeking, and community involvement while reducing street encampments.

Key Features

Nightly Fee: $4.75 per tent space, reflecting 2025 economic conditions while remaining accessible.

Check-In/Check-Out: Check-in at 4:30 PM, check-out at 11 AM the next day (19-hour stay), with a 5.5-hour gap (11 AM to 4:30 PM) to encourage daytime activities like job-seeking.

Amenities and Hygiene Support:

Pay-Per-Minute Showers: $1 for 8 minutes (12.5¢/minute), 50¢ for every 2 minutes thereafter (25¢/minute). A 12-minute shower costs $2. Showers support hygiene, critical for health and job-seeking.

Bathrooms with basic facilities (toilets, sinks) are provided, maintained by volunteers.

During the 5.5-hour gap, a part-time job counselor ($2,000/month per city, shared across lots) is available at select lots to assist with job applications, resumes, and connections to local job centers.

Stay Limits: Stays are limited to 26 nights to avoid squatter’s rights laws in California, ensuring turnover.

High end: $8,062.50 - $7,704 = $358.50/month per lot.

Smaller lots (5 spaces) require additional grants (e.g., $3,500/month per city from organizations like the San Diego River Park Foundation, or $700/month per lot for 5 lots). Larger lots (25 spaces) generate a $358.50/month surplus to reinvest in amenities (e.g., additional showers or job resources).

Addressing City Heights Concerns

Safety and Nuisance: 5 lots in San Diego (25-125 people nightly) reduce street encampments on Orange Avenue. The 4:30 PM check-in, 11 AM check-out, and 26-night limit, enforced by roving security, prevent long-term squatting. Volunteer maintenance ensures cleanliness, addressing “nuisance” concerns.

Daytime Gap: The 5.5-hour gap allows hygiene access and job counseling, reducing daytime street presence. Proximity to urban resources (e.g., job centers in City Heights) enhances this benefit.

Community Involvement: Fundraising events and volunteer roles engage residents, addressing their frustration with Caltrans’ inaction and fostering support.

Why This Works in 2025

Economic Adjustments: The $4.75 fee and optimized security costs account for ~18% inflation since 2022, ensuring sustainability.

Scalability: Multiple lots per city increase capacity and distribute resources, making the solution scalable.

Community Support: Fundraising and volunteer roles build on local frustration, turning residents into stakeholders.

Job-Seeking Focus: The job counselor maximizes the 5.5-hour gap’s potential, helping individuals transition out of homelessness.