Tour 'The Island,’ A Longtime River Homeless Encampment In Sacramento, With Its Unofficial Mayor 

Catherine Roberts is my Mother and I can promise you she has home to come to when she is ready. She wants to live her own life in her terms and that is her choice. Years of drug use and trauma has permanently screwed her up. I have tried to find her for a couple years now. And until I saw this video I didn’t even know if she was alive. My cousin went to the camp 1 month ago to talk with her. Left a note with my number I still haven’t heard from her. Things are rough out there and I love my mom but her choices have brought her where she is today. But she knows this doesn’t have to be the end result. When she is ready I will be here.

Lower the rent who can afford 3time the rent on a fixed income? I work and still have a hard time

This can happen to ANYBODY .Who is going to hire someone who has mental,sickness, old age, PTS of war? The list goes on..This is the Real AMERICA .😔

I have no doubt that “rules” which regulate housing and zoning are partly to blame for a lack of less expensive living options. Developers also see less profit in making tiny affordable homes. Once more affordable choices exist people will move into them. Will this solve homelessness? Probably not completely, but you have got to start somewhere. At the other end is education. At a time when children are forced to return home to live with their parents despite having a college degree, how much hope is there for an under-educated person living on the street? You can’t pull yourself up from the bootstraps when you don’t know what a bootstrap is.

I can't imagine living like that for 20 years. No bills, no rent, no job. Maybe I'm living wrong. A lake front tent for that long? It's a dream.

I don't get how a lot of people in the comments don't understand this can happen to ANYONE ! I guess they've never lived check to to check with what seems like no chance of ever getting ahead.. I truly believe some people will always struggle. Sometimes because of no education or a hundred other reasons. Prayers !!!

I wish they would leave them people alone! PLEASE

Kids, this is what happens when you use excuses your whole life. Notice how they never mention anything about a job. I know alot of people who have cancer and still make a living.

These people are almost living like the natives but I wish these people wouldn't litter and make a mess. Then maybe they would be left alone.

So, we Goin to act like that lady didn't have on the Steve Wilkos show on, on a 50 inch screen in a tent!!??

Man said he was now 55 yrs old, been homeless since 23, and doesn't know how to live in a place with walls. So, he is one example who won't accempt hotel or housing services.

Some people get so beat down from the bad circumstances of their lives become depressed and turn to drugs or alcohol, which in turn leads to more bad choices, and homelessness becomes a trap they can't get out of.🙏😞 Let's try not to judge others until we've walked a mile in their shoes.

Tattoos, fancy nails, cigarettes, pets, drugs or just being lazy. That’s one side. Sickness, outrageous rent increase’s, car trouble, bad luck, that’s the other side. Life isn’t easy, try to make good choices.

Still not sure why these people can’t actually work for a living

Doesn't appear to me they make strides to better themselves. Government caused the housing problem

That looks like a paradise

If they would live clean without turning the AREA INTO A DUMP most people would let them alone. Problem is most homeless are LAZY and have mental ISSUES so they turn the area into a DUMP then people in that area get fed up and law enforcement sends them on there way. Here in Maryland a homeless couple lived by the Potomac river for I believe 7 years they would pick trash up and kept that part of the river very clean everyone in this area would give them trash bags for the trash they cleaned up others would haul trash to the dump. People gave them food eventually someone offered them an apartment they kindly said no thanks. I'm not sure what happened. I've seen Maryland DNR drop food and trash bags off to this homeless couple. I live in a very rural area in western Maryland. I guess it has to do with the number of people as well like I said this homeless couple really worked on keeping that stretch of river bank as clean as they could law enforcement and the citizens around here really appreciated this couple.

I'm a tree lover myself and I like that they protect that tree. I hope they find their forever homes. GOD Bless them always!!

Roommate with the ones that need help. If they did that they'd afford a place

Speechless!!

You can't pay for an apartment AND meth..... I mean c'mon man. We're HUMANS. 🙄

How is the TV working?

The one lady said she raised kids where are these kids now.

Its a thousand dollars a month for a whole in-the-wall dump apartment or room

This is Not Easy to be Here, So be Safe & be Careful all of you guys. Let them stay there. AND Make it into a CAMPING GROUND For the HOMELESS.

Stay clean, keep the space clean, don’t do drugs…..don’t camp on the edge of a river in the middle of a recreational space meant for families and kids, paid for by their tax dollars. Find a space that’s not something meant to be a rec space for the general public. I always see people trying to live at parks and such. That’s where children are meant to PLAY….not worry about drug needles littering the ground or human feces where they walk. There should be a designated space for campers like this and it must be required to stay clean and maintained. Let them camp but camp where they are permitted to camp. If they camp outside this area….remove them. Period.

It won't be like this,forever........🙏

Homeless on my own property in USA, Washington State. I house homeless people and now Island County wish to close my legal renting and to send me out from my property to live as homeless. #2 says “all residents of the three-bedrooms house on the Property to vacate the premises within 14 days. After 14 days any person remaining in the houses may be removed” In all previous orders, the house was exempt. #3 says: “Mr. Muresan may reside in a personal vehicle on the(his) property. Mr. Muresan shall not enter or reside in any recreational vehicle of any kind, or any building on the property” #5 says: “Island County may shut off power supply to the garage/carport building and any RV. After 14 days may shut of electricity to the house” # 6 says: "Island County may physically secure the garage, RVs and any other structures that have been used for human habitation”

Letting these people hang around is not safe...A fellow "camper" started a fire in GV yesterday. It almost cost an entire community their homes and maybe some lives...yeah and the river fire that DID cause people, taxpayers and homeowners, to loose everything...that was started by homeless at the Bear River Campground. Enough is enough...the 99 percent must be allowed to be safe from these trouble makers!

Give them a bar of soap 🧼 😂😂😂

People who say I was homeless once...you didn't give up...these people did. If you contribute nothing, you deserve nothing.

But we have Billions for everyone else. The homeless need to file a class action suit against the Federal Government

In this small town, Air Bnb's are pushing up the price and taking all the "residential" homes.

Not Homeless. Living off grid.

These people have problems , not all created by themselves . I want to comment on where public money goes . You may want to direct your anger there and not as much at people with issues . Law enforcement is the 22nd most dangerous occupation in the USA . In many areas , they are grossly overpaid . Imagine being paid 200 K or more , being off 61 days a year retiring in your late 40's or early 50's with 100K pension and full , gold plated medical benefits ? Roofing #4 and Sanitation #5 are far more dangerous , per the Bureau of Labor Statistics - NOT some lying union official . So let's stop worshipping them as heroes . Scumbag politicians buy their votes with our tax money and these contracts . I can show you custodians who cost the PUBLIC over 100 K a year with the benefits package because their crooked buddies hired them . Wake up - your pockets are being picked . Imagine over 18000 police departments in the USA and each one with a Chief of Police !

I'd feel bad if they weren't heroine addicts. These people choose to buy drugs instead of pay bills and they have no desire to be apart of normal society.

God bless you all

Please can someone tell me what's going on with the United States?

Why would anyone want to go anywhere else ?

These people look like their 100 years old sad.

Having as homeless, doesn't mean you need to trash the place. You need to be accountable. A real good person, will NOT trash the neighbors.

Whenever I see a beggar holding a sign in the middle of the road, I think they could actually get paid $10-15 per hour waving a sign. 🤔 how ironic.

*Where does that ladies power come from for her TV and fans?!*

Lol that guy at the end had a swastika on his neck. Good job Sac Bee

They should let them stay here This place could provide space for far more homeless There are also lot of safe areas

8 year waiting list for Section 8? That’s terrible’

God bless them

How do they power their TV? Generators? Or solar with batteries and an inverter

P *3 of 4* Those with income pay rent which is 10% of their net income to the homeless-village for their 2 person _Shelter 64;_ and 20% of their net income as rent for the 4 person _Shelter 100._ Their rent money goes to pay for: *childcare for working parents,* one free meal per day, and addiction services; in the community-room.

Hi poor sweet little dog looks so sad… 😞😞😞

F of Parts A-F The homeless-shelters are powered and heated with butane and solar-panels, depending on how well the infrastructure held up, which are integrated into the construction of the *temporary* _homeless-shelters._ Which are a dry, clean place to sleep, and store their stuff. People from the city drive out to the homeless-communities to pick up food bank food; because that is where the food banks and free-ice machines are located.

I'm homeless also,we won,t have any peace,until we get to Heaven!!🙏

There is a solution to this, just not the will to do it. Find some cheaper public land either in the city or nearby and build low cost free housing for the homeless, make it safe, clean, drug free, and provide food and medical services. Yes, that will cost some money, but so do the roads, public pensions, and municipal services. Now the homeless have a place to go. If they refuse to live there, they can pay for their own housing, leave, or go to jail, but public camping would be banned and the streets and sidewalks would no longer be shantytowns. Problem solved.

P 1 of 4* Cities can eliminate homeless tent cities by replacing them with *homeless-communities* using _Pallet Shelter's_ existing *homeless shelter village components.* The _Community Room_ sells for $37,000 and serves as a shared laundry room, restaurant, *child daycare center,* and addiction services center. The _Bathroom_ cost $35,000 and the _Services Office_ costs $9,000. So for only $81,000 a city can establish a *homeless village.* The 10'X10' *Camping Cube Sport Pop Up Tent* costs only $120 and provides protection from the elements.

Some people get so beat down from the bad circumstances of their lives become depressed and turn to drugs or alcohol, which in turn leads to more bad choices, and homelessness becomes a trap they can't get out of.🙏😞

I have a full time job but that is not the answer especially here in TEXAS

There’s been way to many close calls for me I live paycheck to paycheck and actively trying to fix it but it’s hard! Even one of my ‘rich’ friends is at the bottom now it happens to everyone. It looks like they are in a wooded area so I don’t think they are bothering anyone. Let them be the video says it’s been 10+ years so that’s the local laws fault for letting it happen so long.

I can’t live like that. And sad thing is that can happen to anyone. Most start their addiction after they become displaced.

Wait, Bobby's buried there in a hole in the ground? They literally just dug a hole and shoved Bobby in!

One question, why do they make such a mess? How about at least picking up and burning your trash...

P *4 of 4* The homeless can simply move the tents they are using now into the homeless-village. *Or the **_Shelter 100,_** provided by FEMA,* is a $9,500 shelter that is climate controlled, built in one hour, is 100 sq. ft., and uses a folding bunk system to house up to four beds. *_Pallet Shelter's_* private sleeping cabins offer *security* and durability. Which addresses the concerns of the homeless who reject the restrictions of “bed-only” homeless-shelters; for only one night.

P *2 of 4* Cities are spending millions of dollars to open and run homeless bed shelters; that the homeless reject due to the many restrictions and lack of security. _Pallet Shelter's_ two person _Shelter 64_ cost only $7,000 and provides a dignified, secure sleeping base of operation. So for only $201,000 [$120 tents] a city can establish and run a *Homeless Shelter Village* with 1000 shelters that can accommodate 4,000 beds!

Hey here's an ideal, let's give the wealthy another two trillion dollar tax break. Our laws and GOVERMENT protect the wealthy from the poor. There are over a hundred million people that live pay check to pay check and this will eventually wear anyone down.

D With subsidized for the homeless electric-cargo-bikes at all bus stops from companies like: _Wheels, Lime, Link, and Veo_ in the city and at the homeless encampment; so the working homeless can get to work. *Which are large 1,000 people disaster relief centers.* With trucked in water. Shared laundry, toilet, cooking, and shower-facilities. With restaurants, post office, and stores; just like a large campground. PAR

I can understand that they are homeless but why do they leave such a mess like pigs.

Section 8 probably contacted him but with no address the voucher letter came back. He needs to contact them keep in touch not sit on your hands expect them to run to him. Dont stay there accept tge help thats offered but these ppl don't want it or leave.

DON’T EVER USE DRUGS👀

'I'm a LOSER, I'm a LOSER, aand I'm not what I appear to be' ....Beatles

Where is Nancy speaker of house at

I can honestly say the way my life was as a kid.I should have been on drugs in alcohol However, growing up in the inner city.I stayed away from that stuff because I was a christian I didn't even date because of all the trauma had gone through I got through school. I went to college and go to degree. Deep down I knew I couldn't function living in america With the c p t s d and the learning disabilities plus not being able to drive Chronic pain and fatigue I figured living overseas would be better I lived in taiwan for twenty years I had to come back eight months ago and I took eighteen months to find a job I probably can't leave here. But I can save money and most likely go back to school again. And then move back to asia. I can only say that when we live in darkness.Our path is not straight. I was living in darkness and I trusted that jesus would pull me out of a darkness It took a long time for god to get me to a point where I could live here in california and feel okay. Do I want to stay here for the next 20 years?No. That could probably only be done if I was married and had another income. Most americans can't live on one income. 51000 a year after taxes.Just isn't enough to live ,here If I work a few years and then try to find a similar job in a red state with a low cost of living I could probably swing it. i've never felt comfortable living in america I think if you don't have good health the ability to drit makes it difficult to function here I'll never judge a homeless person.I understand why they turned drugs when they were kids. I just shared my story because I know jesus can help these people Once you accept christ you can get inner healing and deliverance That really helped me I had all kind of addictive tendencies.I just never gave in to them because I asked jesus to help me. Then he eventually removed what was oppressing me I know that. Homeless people are most likely the most broken people you'll ever meet. But I also know jesus can restore them

They just don't wants to pay bills

This is wrong god help

4:53 WHY WOULD ANYONE LET SOMEONE TATOO THEIR HEAD?

That's equality in free will

E of Parts A-F In the on-site factories the homeless population's workforce is used to make more homeless shelters from plastic-waste taken from the oceans and government subsidized Styrofoam; and electric car conversion kits which cost only $3,600 because _The Defense Production Act_ was invoked. _Which does not include the cost of batteries and installation._ PAR

here's the fact Jack...the amount of money the Gov would spend on these people to get off the street wouldn't be recouped in the taxes and consumerism they can generate....so they're a negative cost factor......get the picture....

They gotta live somewhere!

They need to pay rent to stay there then on that property

Pamademic. Un-homeless people. I like his language.

Street homeless live very simple and modest life. It's really a minimalist type of life. They don't need much, so they don't ask for much. They find a camping spot, and it becomes their new home with new stories and memories. They prefer being left alone as they are. The only thing they really want and think about all day long is fentanyl. 99% of street homeless are fentanyl addicts, and there is no solution for it. Large majority of them will die from fentanyl overdose, or drugs related violence in this decade. Very sad.

You can thank Republicans all the way back to Ronald Reagan for this mess, do your homework!

Some of them folks been living down there in that area for twenty years ?

If you can't afford the cost of living here ,leave !!!!!!! Go somewhere cheep but just leave , the riverfront belongs to the people who pay taxes and want to visit along the river, no we can't afford to live waterfront either but you living here is real unfair to us that pay for this, waterfront is expensive but we aren't so inconsiderate to just set up a semi permanent home where other people come to recreate so pack up and go where you can afford to live

P A of Parts A-F *Due to the destruction of housing* caused by catastrophic-runaway-anthropogenic-global-warming [CRAGW] extreme weather events; there are housing shortages all over America which *is causing rent increases; and even more homelessness!* The FEMA operated homeless-communities do not require residents to check out, there is no sign-in and sign-out issues as they are long-term shelters; which provide the privacy of individual living spaces. Where the shelter residents can fell safe from the other camp residences. *Which removes many of the objections those homeless living in tents who refuse to use city established homeless-shelters; have voiced.*

I would honestly prefer them right there other than roasting on the streets of Sac, they are just trying to get by, most of them don’t want to live like this but really don’t have a choice.

JC..this is what happens to folks in their 50s n beyond,?? Help them. N their pets too

Krispy Kream 😂😂

Wasn’t the pemedemic

All I want to know is where they bury their kaka, cause I'm never swimming in the Sacramento river ever

They are so dirty 😂 Take a bath in the lake 😂😂

I was in sac back in 2008 and to be honest does places are real I met a Mexican guy he had in the bushes carb a home was crazy I was like wtf he made that place so camouflage you couldn't even tell it was there it look like a dome but it was nothing about trees from years and years they have the least has whipping down I remember he went by the name grande he was a well known gang member who was about 60 years old and there was tio another old man who have live there for a long time they explained to me why life took them there and man wish I would record all that but I wasn't allowed because there backgrounds would been a good documentary

Tats, ciggies, dogs, beer. Sounds like the people who tried to rent a house from me, but for some reason, didn't have the money half the time. Hmmm...

Unfortunately for millions of Americans in order to survive, those made homeless, *due to failed Republican polices,* will have to lower their standard of living dramatically and live in modest accommodations. Such as _Pallet Shelter's_ *Shelter 64* which sleeps two in a private cabin. Placed in combination with _Pallet Shelter's_ other components: *Community Room,* Bathroom, and Services Office; to form an entire *Homeless Shelter Village.* Where rent is 10% of net income for the 2 person shelter and 20% for the four person shelter. Which goes to providing _one free meal a day_ and *childcare* so that the working poor can go to work: in the Community Room.

Wait a minute, that man claiming he has liver cancer but doesn’t go to the doctor and claims they told him “10 years ago” that he would be dead? If he really had liver cancer without treatment he really would be dead. So I’m calling bull crap.

At least there not chasing materialism any longer

Everybody in the world is 100% the same we are all creating our own reality there's no excuses for anybody

*Paragraph 4 of 4.* 89 million Americans is 27% of the *working* population! Or a $50,000 a year stipend for 40 million American families of 4 making less than $15 an hour; *so that they are NOT made permanently homeless.* Amen.

I've seen some three and four million dollar churches around sac town and whats the churches excuse this time, with all that money they could solve the homeless problem O, but that's not the churches calling.

They had a place like this in Lakewood Nj and they got rid of the homeless

Being poor is the hardest work ever, the poorer you get the harder it gets.