Oakland Councilmember Vows End to Six Years of Encampment-Blocked Sidewalks Forcing Children into Streets

Oakland, California – Residents across Oakland are voicing increasing concerns over homeless encampments and accumulated trash blocking sidewalks, compelling pedestrians, including children, to walk in the streets. A recent social media post from "BAY AREA STATE OF MIND" highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, "Oakland kids are forced to walk in the streets because trash and encampments block the sidewalks." This public outcry underscores a long-standing challenge impacting community safety and public health.

The problem is particularly acute in areas like MacArthur Boulevard near 106th Avenue in East Oakland, where a growing encampment has led to unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Residents describe horrific smells, rat infestations, and near-misses with traffic as cars and buses must swerve to avoid debris and people forced into the roadway. One resident, Staci, lamented, "We shouldn't have to live like this," noting the situation has worsened over recent years.

Newly elected City Councilmember for District 7, Ken Houston, has directly addressed these concerns, acknowledging the dangerous conditions. "What's been happening in our streets, for the last 5-6 years, is ridiculous," Houston stated, emphasizing that "Our kids, our seniors, have to walk in the streets, cars have to go around trash and around these encampments. They're blocking the sidewalks. I'm changing all that. Enough is enough."

Houston plans to introduce an Encampment Abatement Plan at a city council committee meeting on September 10. Prior to this, he is initiating immediate clean-up efforts on MacArthur Boulevard with public works, and intends to tag RVs for removal. Funding from Measure W, a sales tax passed by Alameda County voters to address homelessness, is expected to support some of these changes.

The city of Oakland has an existing Encampment Management Policy, adopted in October 2020, aimed at mitigating health and safety impacts of unsheltered homelessness. This policy designates high-sensitivity areas, like those near schools and parks, where unmanaged encampments are presumed to pose higher risks. Despite these policies, the proliferation of encampments, which grew by 9% from 2022 to 2024 to an estimated 5,490 unhoused individuals, continues to challenge the city's resources and efforts to provide adequate shelter and services.