Stockton Works To Increase Rentals Available For City's Homeless Population

Stockton is working to increase the number of rentals available for the city's homeless population.

The city council voted last Tuesday to establish a $50,000 fund to guarantee landlords won't get hit with lost rent or repair costs.

Stockton adopted “guiding principles” to address homelessness which included removing the barriers that keep them out of permanent housing.

A $50,000 fund would reimburse damages, evi ction costs, and even 2 months of unpaid rent if landlords would accept 50 special vouchers.
 
Stockton Shelter for the Homeless Director Adam Cheshire says he sees 350 people a night in his shelter.
 
Cheshire says it might only be a drop in the bucket, but it’s a start.
 
“If we can provide some sort of insurance, some sort of incentive for our landlords who want to do right and also want to do right by their business," says Cheshire. "If we can provide that incentive, why wouldn’t we do that?”
 
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs announced the motion passed unanimously.
 
“We’re doing our part that we’re allocating dollars, that we’re adopting principles, and that we’re serious about getting to the root of this homelessness issue,” says Tubbs.