Why We Oppose

We have researched many of the tiny house developments within the Bay Area and throughout California, Utah and Texas.  The vast majority of the Tiny Home developments that we located were outside of residential areas. Those that were located near residential areas or schools are experiencing many negative issues. These tiny houses will not likely shelter families, or single mothers, or single fathers due to size. Instead, they will provide transitional, short-term housing for the chronically homeless. Which mainly consist of individuals that struggle with a disabling condition such as serious mental illness or substance abuse.  Asbury Church already provides services to the homeless, via their "Livermore Homeless Refuge" program, and the nearby residents have already experienced these difficult problems listed below (see the police report here).  The nearby community has already personally experienced all of these issues so we know first-hand that this is the wrong location.  There WILL be a significant increase in:

• Drug and alcohol abuse, drug distribution and drug paraphernalia 

• Theft and vandalism

• Homicide and murder (see articles here and here)

• Harassment, verbal and physical 

• Public nudity and sanitation risks

• Littering and defecating on private property

• Disturbing the peace at all hours of the day and night, causing Police disturbance calls to this location - significant cost to the taxpayers and the city

• Threats of fire damage

• Trespassing & burglary on nearby residential property

• Emotional and physical safety concerns

• Unsafe conditions for children at the nearby parks and community center resulting in always having a parental escort or having to avoid these areas for fear of negative encounters with transients.  

•  Individuals having to change their walking/running route in this area for fear of personal safety

 All of these factors poses a significant risk to the health and safety of members of the local community.  We strongly oppose of this proposed location due to the fact:  

• Dangerously close to children's centers, schools and the community center

• The vast majority of the community nearby has not been informed. We started a Nextdoor feed and there is a strong opposition because this is absolutely not the right location. 90% of the respondents opposed to the proposal.  

• Would increase drug abuse & trafficking, mentally disturbed persons, loitering, trespassing, theft, breaking and entering (see the police report here) There have already been hundreds of police disturbance calls to this location in the last 2 years!  (And they haven't even been built yet!)

• Increased trash and rubbish throughout our community

• This land was zoned as suburban residential district. One of the purposes it was zoned this way was to regulate development within the district as to preserve and protect the residential character of the district. The intent of the city legislature was to designate this area for a single-family residential housing type character. Their plan does not consider this. 

• Many Tiny Home developments have a negative environmental impact 

• See this shocking letter describing what happens when tiny homes are placed near schools