Wealthy residents of a Democrat-run California city have been branded NIMBYs for fighting to keep 100 homeless people from staying in a $134-a-night hotel.
Crowds of angry Millbrae residents packed their local community hall on Friday to protest Project Homekey’s proposals to house the homeless at the La Quinta Hotel on El Camino Real, near downtown.
As hundreds of bellicose residents continue their fight to halt plans to build housing for the homeless, others have criticized the hypocrisy of the Dem majority in voting for liberal leaders but then opposing progressive policies.
Jess Hudson, a San Mateo County resident and commissioner, said her actions showed that NIMBYism is popular regardless of political affiliation. It’s an abbreviation for the phrase “not in my backyard.”
About 95 percent of Millbrae’s homeless population is currently congregating and sleeping at the Bay Area Rapid Transit Station. The city is the last stop before San Francisco Airport, which is why many homeless people traveling south from San Francisco end up there.
More than 74 percent of residents in San Mateo County, which includes Millbrae, voted for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in November 2022 — with just a quarter of all ballots voting for the Republican nominee.
Crowds of angry Millbrae residents packed their local authority’s community hall on Friday to protest “Project Homekey” plans to house 100 homeless people at Hotel La Quinta on El Camino Real, near downtown
As hundreds of bellicose residents continue their fight to halt plans to build housing for the homeless, others have criticized the hypocrisy of the Dem majority in voting for liberal leaders but then opposing progressive policies
In March, Newsom announced a $1 billion homelessness fund that will seek to provide housing for the hundreds of thousands of troubled sleepers in the state. In the past four years, California has spent $17.5 billion on this problem.
Newsom said, “In California, we’re using every means at our disposal — including the largest small-home facility in the state to date — to get people off the streets into homes.”
“The homelessness crisis will never be solved without first solving the housing crisis — the two problems are inextricably linked.” create.”
There were a total of 1,092 homeless people in San Mateo County in February — a 20 percent increase from 2019, according to the Daily Journal.
Scenes on Friday showed hundreds of people standing outside the 300-person capacity hall to listen to proposals laid out by San Mateo County executive Mike Callagy.
About 95 percent of Millbrae’s homeless population is currently congregating and sleeping at the Bay Area Rapid Transit Station. The city is the last stop before San Francisco Airport, which is why many homeless people end up there
Some residents loudly shouted their opposition, while others waved signs, threw up their arms and made thumbs-down gestures at the speakers.
Neighbors waved homemade signs that read “Don’t Bully Millbrae,” “Protect Us” and “Safety for Millbrae,” raising concerns about public safety and the hotel’s proximity to several schools.
The resident group opposed to the hotel, the Millbrae Guardians, wrote after the chaos at the council meeting: “From the bottom of my heart I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who attended the gathering at the Millbrae Recreation Centre.
“The participation was simply spectacular! The sight of our neighbors, friends and family all crammed into the Great Hall and even poured out of the recreation center due to the large number, was a testament to the strength of our fellowship’s voice.
“It’s not every day we get to see that profound gathering on Friday night.”
Jess Hudson, a San Mateo County resident and commissioner, said her actions showed that NIMBYism is popular regardless of political affiliation
“Many neighbors mentioned that they had never seen such a crowd in Millbrae.
“This joint gathering was not just about numbers; It was a clear message: the people of Millbrae want to be heard.
“It was a testament to our community’s dedication and commitment to protecting our home and sending a clear message to our district leaders and district board.”
“The proposal to convert a commercial hotel into a homeless shelter could result in significant financial losses for Millbrae.” We also have serious concerns about our ability to handle the additional services normally associated with such accommodation.
“The county cannot make decisions that have such a lasting impact on our community without providing proper information and without our input.”
Local resident Jess Hudson has criticized people, including the mayor, for allegedly spreading misinformation about the hotel.
The mum said people in the affluent area find themselves becoming homeless “through no fault of their own” – and the reality is most people are closer to homelessness than actually owning a home in Millbrae.
She also branded the protesters NIMBYS — people who embrace the “Not in my backyard” belief and speak out against proposed developments in their area.
Hudson, who has been vocal in support of the project and has criticized the apparent lack of compassion from her neighbors, said: “The Homekey project in Millbrae will house 99 people and provide support services – including access to mental and physical health care and social services. and access to vocational training.
“My neighbors don’t want it because they don’t want homeless people here.” So put them up.’
Crowds poured into the borough council meeting, where many Millbrae residents protested against plans by San Mateo County officials to convert the La Quinta Hotel into a homeless shelter in San Francisco
Neighbors have raised concerns about the safety and the downtown hotel’s (pictured) proximity to several schools
Rooms at the hotel typically cost around $140 per night
The hotel, which will serve as a shelter for the homeless, has an outdoor pool
Hudson told : “Nimbyism is still very popular regardless of one’s political affiliation.”
“The misinformation about the project should fuel fear and insist that these residents are drug addicted child molesters when in reality nearly half of the poor in our affluent, safe and well-governed county are elderly.”
“It also helps that the project continues to be referred to as an animal shelter.” It is not an emergency shelter, but a permanent support apartment complex with leases and on-site staff.
Responding to angry residents’ fears it could hurt the area financially, she said: “The county is providing a year of revenue and ongoing support to address these issues, as well as the fact that the hotel is there anyway and there.” “These are new hotels that have just been built in better locations along the transit and new hotels that are being sought to replace the revenue.”
Hudson continued, “Our mayor.” [Ann Schneider] has been working with locals (mainly our Chinese immigrant community and our older, conservative white community) to spread the misinformation and anger everyone.
“She encouraged that type of behavior and behaved that way towards county staff as well.”
She added: “On a human level I lived in Millbrae for 11 years raising my children.” I have served in the schools and in the Girl Scouts. I also work in public policy.
Like many cities in San Mateo County, Millbrae has a high median household income of $141,399 — while also being home to a large, poorly sleeping population
Homelessness is rampant in San Francisco, especially downtown
“To hear my neighbors yelling that homeless people are all drug addicts and dangerous and should not be accommodated is extremely disturbing.”
“After the meeting, my mayor loudly declared me her enemy and I spent the weekend worrying about leaving my house.”
“This isn’t just affecting the people who don’t have a home.” It shows everyone in the community that if you support them, they’re going to be targeted.
“I will not accept that.” This is not the Millbrae I want for my children.
“We live in one of the most expensive counties in the country.” We have a lot of people who are homeless through no fault of their own.
Ann Schneider, Mayor of Millbrae
“I pay paycheck for paycheck and hear that if a disaster strikes and I can’t pay my rent and lose my very expensive apartment, I’ll become inhuman to them.”
“And the reality is that most of us are closer to being homeless than owning a home here.”
Hudson, who works in public policy, said, “San Mateo County has a goal of reducing homelessness to zero, and it’s up to all of us in the county to help achieve that goal.”
“We want a county where everyone has a safe bed and no one is on the streets.”
“The Homekey project is part of the strategy to make this happen.”
“There are currently around 1,200 homeless people living in the district. This project brings the number down to 1100.’
Like many cities in San Mateo County, Millbrae has a high median household income of $141,399.
Millbrae is represented in the 13th Senate district by Democrat Josh Becker – and in the 21st assembly district the city is represented by Democrat Diane Papan.
Millbrae is also represented in the House of Representatives by an elected Democrat – Kevin Mullin – in California’s 15th congressional district.
According to the California Secretary of State, Millbrae has 12,850 registered voters. Of those, 44.6 percent are registered Democrats, compared to just 16 percent who are registered Republicans.
Over 74 percent of residents in San Mateo County, which includes Millbrae, voted for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in November 2022 — with just a quarter of all ballots voting for the Republican nominee
Resident Silvia So, who opposes the hotel project, said: “I would like to stress that it is important to remember that whatever the circumstances, we must stick to it, even if some share this view and question the need for further action We fight to protect our city and stand up for our rights.
“Failing to do this could result in the county and other cities perceiving us as vulnerable, potentially resulting in additional permanent homeless shelters being established here in the future and jeopardizing our funding.”
“Keep fighting everyone!” This is just the beginning. “The county will look to convert more of our hotels into shelters.”
Other people online have slammed the cantankerous locals.
One person said, “Why are Millbrae residents upset? They vote Democrat and these are the consequences.”
Another added, “Typical rich liberal California Democrats.” “You get what you vote for.”
And a third said, ‘Elections have consequences folks, you keep voting democratic extremist losers.’ This is your own fault.’
Others agreed: “The homelessness situation in Millbrae and the San Francisco area is a direct result of the Democratic politicians and electoral policies that citizens voted for.”
“They got what they wanted, so they should stop whining.”
Funding for the project has not yet been approved, but if it is, it will be overseen by the local Episcopal Community Services (ECS).
Beth Stokes, on duty, said the homeless were “essentially living in an apartment” with 24-hour support staff available.
“For security reasons, ECS will have 24/7 staff on site,” she told NBC Bay Area.
“We’ll also have case management staff, and that’s what supportive living is. It’s services.”
Homelessness is a pervasive problem in the San Francisco area, and Millbrae is just 15 miles south of downtown Union Square, where most camps are located. Thousands of people live on the streets.
In addition, the city is characterized by a rapidly increasing crime rate and many people who sleep poorly suffer from fentanyl addiction.