Richmond’s mayor is turning to businesses to help solve the homeless problem there.
On Thursday, he is asking some of the biggest companies to fund a city-sanctioned homeless encampment.
The mayor tells KRON4 his vision is to create a city-sanctioned encampment that would house the homeless and provide them services. But unfortunately, the funding isn’t available, so he reached out to some of the largest companies there, asking them to donate money to support this solution.
It is a unique solution to a common problem.
Richmond’s mayor is asking the city’s largest employers to help house the homeless by funding a city-sanctioned encampment.
“We all drive by these homeless encampments, and you know, it tugs at our heartstrings, and it’s like, you know, I wish we can do something. What can we do?” Mayor Tom Butt said.
Over the weekend, Mayor Butt reached out to 10 companies, including Amazon, Wal-Mart, Chevron, and Kaiser, asking them to chip in about $150,000 each.
The money would support a tent city with food and bathrooms, as well as mental health and substance abuse services, an alternative to traditional shelters.
“The problem is what we called the three P’s–possessions, pets, and partners. And most homeless shelters don’t allow those,” Butt said. “So, by doing something like this, you can allow people to bring those with them. And they’ll be much more inclined to go there.
The mayor says at last count, there are about 270 people in Richmond that are permanently homeless. This $1.5 million proposal would get them off the streets and provide a meaningful way for corporations to give back.
“All these large corporations, they just got a big tax cut from Trump,” Butt said. “You know, instead of giving their CEO a $150,000 raise, let’s spend it on the homeless. It’s not a tax. I’m not trying to compel them to do it. I’m just saying look, you want to do something for your fellow men, women, children, here’s an opportunity. We’ll work with you.”
The mayor says he sent out the letters over the weekend.
He hasn’t heard back yet. He says he’s also reached out to some of the largest charities and foundations in Richmond asking for their help.