Homeless camps cause complaints and problems for cities, but Elk Grove, California is doing something about the problem in a unique way. The city now pays residents of the camps with $20 gift cards every time they clean up the trash in their camp.
It’s a great solution, isn’t it? The city used to spend close to $10-thousand every month to clean the camps, but the first year of the new project has cost less than that, and it’s getting results. The camps are cleaner, the expense is down, and Elk Grove Police Department Homeless Outreach Officer Jennifer McCue says there’s another benefit that comes as a surprise, saying “we’re actually building relationships.”
Everyone's a winner so far, and McCue added that the residents of the camps are “excited when we come every other Wednesday.” As far as the city can tell, Elk Grove is the first city to give this type of program a try, but other cities are talking to them about starting the same thing.
Source:CBS Sacramento
[Courtesy of Dr. Dave’s Ultimate Prep]