In a “first-of-its-kind” settlement, the city of San Bernardino has agreed to a new policy that will prevent the destruction of unhoused individuals’ property and make sure there are reasonable accommodations for unhoused individuals with disabilities. Under the settlement, unhoused people with disabilities will receive “elevated levels of accommodation.”
The lawsuit highlights how San Bernardino officials violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when the city demanded that unhoused individuals with disabilities quickly move themselves and all their belongings. Individuals who did not do this dealt with city security forces, including private security guards, as well as having their property taken away and destroyed. When unhoused people with disabilities requested assistance, the city didn’t help, violating the ADA.
Unless there is an immediate public health or safety concern, the city has agreed not to displace the unhoused individuals during sweeps of encampments and cleanups unless they offer emergency interim housing options such as hotels.
For more information, see the San Bernardino Sun article.