The City of Sparks is dealing with a rise in illegal camps, along the Truckee River. City officials say the problem has been growing in the past year, after Reno removed homeless people who were camping along the river. Many of them moved their tents to the east, into Sparks.
That caused the Sparks City Council to pass an ordinance that prohibits camping along the river. People who disobey usually receive a verbal or written warning, up to physical removal.Â
Christian Montgomery is a homeless man, spending his day at an encampment, just east of Rock Blvd. He says he has been warned and even arrested.
"Just hanging out here, I could go to jail for it, even though my stuff is downtown under a bridge," Montgomery said.
Sparks officials say citations and arrests are a last resort. Since the ordinance passed, March 28, the City has had a hard time enforcing it without violating people's constitutional rights.
"It's a problem. We recognize it's a problem but we simply cannot enforce an ordinance when there is nowhere else for these individuals to go," Adam Mayberry, Community Relations Manager for the City of Sparks said.
Residents have complained to the City about the homeless encampments. Some say they create environmental and health hazards because of human waste, litter, and used hypodermic needles.Â
The camps are normally right next to a popular bike path.
"Certainly, there are people that are concerned for their safety, when they're down there," Mayberry said. "Many have stopped going down there because they don't like the sights, the smells."
Sparks teams up with Reno and Washoe County to fund the Community Assistance Center, located on Record Street in downtown Reno. Last week, The Washoe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $2 million for additional shelter for the homeless.
"We have an overflow shelter that used to operate, strictly in the winter months. That has turned into a year-round operation," Kevin Schiller, Assistant County Manager said.
Mayberry says the homeless issue in Sparks does not have an easy fix. He says it will take an effort between the regional partners and service providers to improve the situation.
"It's not going to be solved by merely arresting or kicking these homeless individuals from their camp," Mayberry said.
Schiller says homelessness is rising because of population growth that is increasing the cost of housing for residents, including seniors.
"When average rent is approaching $900 and you're on fixed incomes, many of them go down that road and struggle, and then the mental health and the substance abuse tends to always be an issue," Schiller said.
Substance abuse poses a problem for the shelters provided.
"If a homeless individual isn't sober, they won't be admitted," Mayberry said. "So, there lies a far greater problem."
There are services available, however. Crossroads is a program that offers transitional housing with services, that require drug testing. It saves the community $7 million in jail booking fees.
"What it does is it reduces jail costs and then at the same time, provides an ability to have independence," Schiller said.
The Sparks City Council will discuss its financial obligations to the Community Assistance Center, next week.
