Sacramento Will Mandate City-Provided Housing for the Homeless—and Make the Homeless Accept It

If passed the measure would be the first of its kind nationally, and would impose a legally enforceable municipal mandate to deal with a humanitarian crisis that has spread in California.

It could also help the city comply with federal court rulings, that have made it increasingly difficult to enforce laws against homeless encampments if officials do not provide alternatives to sleeping outdoors.

A “right to housing” mandate has been long sought by progressives, who argue that public funding and compassion are wasted without the power of law to force cities to supply adequate housing.

At the same time, state and local governments have been leery of the financial implications of singling out housing as a legal right.