Blight management gets mixed ratings in latest Citrus Heights survey

By Sara Beth Williams–
Recent FlashVote survey results released last week show residents in Citrus Heights remain concerned about homeless encampments and associated debris, as well as unkempt homes and businesses.

The survey was issued by the City of Citrus Heights on Nov. 18 and concluded on Nov. 20, with results publicly released the same day. Results show that there were 384 total participants.

When asked how well blight is being managed currently, 45 percent of respondents said “ok,” while seven percent said “terrible,” and 12 percent said “bad.” Twenty-six percent of respondents indicated that blight management was “good,” and 3.7 percent said management has been excellent. About 5 percent said they were “not sure.”

Twenty-three percent of respondents said blight has improved a little over the last year at the Sylvan Oaks Library and Crosswoods Community Park area, while nearly 15 percent said blight has improved “a lot.” A combined total of 31 people out of 348 who answered the question indicated that blight has gotten worse over the last year. 118 out of 348 respondents said they weren’t sure or haven’t seen the area enough to answer definitively.

When asked if they have reported issues of blight in the last 12 months, nearly 37 percent of respondents said they have seen issues of blight but haven’t reported anything. Twenty percent of respondents indicated they did not know they could report issues of blight and 15 percent of respondents said they did not see any blight issues.

A total of 117 people out of 329 who answered the question responded, saying they have reported issues of blight to the city through phone calls, emails, texts, on the website, and through the SeeClickFix app.

When asked which issues surrounding homelessness are most concerning, 75 percent of voters indicated that homeless encampments, associated debris, and litter were their biggest concern. Fifty-nine percent of voters responded that property crimes, including car break-ins, shoplifting, and vandalism, were their top concern. Fifty percent of respondents said they were largely concerned with unhoused individuals not getting care for serious mental health or substance abuse issues. Respondents were allowed to select multiple answers.

Other listed concerns included feeling unsafe when encountering homeless individuals, which received 131 votes out of 331, disruptive behavior in public, which received 110 votes, open drug use and a lack of sheltering options, which both received 98 votes, and people asking for money, which received 89 votes.

Survey comments
Overall, 107 residents left comments on the survey. Comments ranged from being critical of the city and police response to expressions of gratitude for the city and police department’s efforts toward addressing blight. Commenters who were critical said law enforcement didn’t have “strong enough laws” to act against repeat offenders.

While some comments were critical, others said the city was “doing a good job,” and several indicated that reported incidents were “addressed promptly.” Another said that they have seen a “big improvement” over the last year and that the city is “doing a better job than most.”

Many commenters emphasized that the unkempt state of homes and businesses in the city contributes to ongoing blight. Many asked the city to keep landlords and homeowners accountable when it comes to upkeep of overgrown lawns and abandoned parking lots and buildings. One commenter said that Sunrise Mall property owners need to be “held accountable” for the lack of oversight and care of the parts of the property that run parallel to Macy Plaza Drive and Sunrise East Way, where many residents live.

“Residents have repeatedly reported encampments, used needles, human excrement, and other litter that is found on mall property right behind resident property,” the commenter wrote.

Others claimed the problem of blight and homelessness stems from mental health problems and “open drug use” throughout the city. Many called for increased mental health and substance abuse assistance programs to be more easily accessible and even “mandatory.” Others alleged that many unhoused do not accept help when offered.

Still others commented that the lack of affordable housing and shelter availability has contributed to persistent issues of homelessness and blight.

“There is no winter or rain respite center, so the Sylvan Oaks library ends up taking the brunt of the homeless who need a safe place to go during the day,” one commenter alleged, adding that some shelters only allow for one-night stays once per month and that one of her family members has been on a waiting list for housing for a year-and-a-half.

Full results from the city’s FlashVote survey can be viewed online here.