By Tommy Acosta —
Sedona is known throughout the world as a spiritual destination point where the land and those who live upon it march to the beat of a different drummer.
Compassion. Love. Inclusivity and enlightenment are pillars upon which this community is sustained.
Yet, something happened a few days ago that made me question if this is really true.
I was at dinner at a local restaurant with a fellow community resident, whom I had thought to be a compassionate person.
Quite off-handedly he asked me how I felt about a city plan to provide safe parking for people who work in Sedona but have to live in their vehicles because they cannot afford the rent to live here, or even in Cottonwood.
I said I thought it was a great idea and my friend’s expression went from calmness to shock.
“I can’t believe you are telling me that with a straight face,” he gasped, dropping his fork on the table. “Do you know what you are saying.”
I was taken aback for a few seconds, trying to understand what just occurred. He had transformed so suddenly before my eyes I was stunned and could only sputter, “What, uh what, do you mean?”
“Do you want criminals, drug addicts and drug dealers living in Sedona,”he exclaimed? “Do you know the kind of trouble this would bring to Sedona? Turning the Cultural Park parking lot into a camp for people living in their cars is the most stupid idea I have ever heard. If you can’t afford to live here, then they should leave and go work somewhere else!”
I tried to understand where he was coming from. To that point I had thought creating a safe place for people who work in Sedona and live in their cars was a great idea, a truly compassionate act by the City of Sedona.
They would be in a safe place. They would have access to facilities. They would have showers. We would know who they are. It would help alleviate Sedona’s labor shortage. The city could control who comes in and out. It seemed like a win-win.
But apparently, I was wrong because if my friend is right, then we would be creating a homeless encampment in Sedona, with the blessing and support of the city.
I had to wiggle my way out of risking my friendship with my friend and murmured “Oh, uh, I guess I had better take another look into this because it’s the last thing I want for Sedona.”
The rest of the dinner was chilled and a bit stiff, but we got by it and said our goodbyes, though I doubt we would be dining together any time soon in the near future.
Sure, the possibility exists the parking facility can draw undesirables into the community.
They could easily walk to nearby homes, knock on doors in the middle of the night and cause harm.
They could turn that parking lot into the biggest drug dealing center in Northern Arizona. Use their cars for prostitution. Play laud music and engage in other unsavory activities.
But that’s totally unlikely if the city regulates who goes in or out of the lot. Workers would need to present proof of employment before being allowed to use it.
And the type of individuals willing to live in their cars so they could work, would most likely be decent folk trying to pull themselves up by their bootstraps in the face of adversity.
They would shop in town. Contribute tax-dollars. Put their kids in school (God knows we need students in a city of old people). Yes, there are families living in their cars in Sedona.
The alternative would be for them to not work and become truly homeless, joining the ranks of the homeless beggars proliferating throughout Sedona right now.
I am still a bit shaken by my friend’s reaction. To him it was like Sedona would become Los Angeles overnight if it happened. And I wondered if his reaction is how the majority of Sedonans would react; if there is enough compassion in our town to accommodate these people.
Obviously, there is a great amount of fear, here. And it’s warranted, to a degree.
In a perfect world it would be great if the city could build affordable workforce housing and the companies that employ these people would pay a fair wage that would allow them to rent and live here.
But that, is a long way off and nebulous.
Creating a temporary safe haven for the working homeless my not be the perfect solution but at least we can create a semblance of stability for those who are hardy enough and dedicated enough to contribute to our workforce while living in their cars.
Maybe, these people should be applauded. Not feared.
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13 Comments
Tommy your friend sounds like the new alarmist I see, hear and read every day here in town. There are the ones who moved here and think a magic gate closes behind them. Then the handful of phonies that run an Air B&B to make ends meet, and cant see what destruction has happened to towns all throughout Arizona. Or the political right wing hatters. If they hear anything on hate radio or TV it must be true.
So looking down from 10,000 feet, does anyone in their right mind think its a open invitation? Really? Talk about a dim bulb. Do we rent rooms without background checks? Would you rent to someone without knowing their background?
We have a problem….Should we not address it? Ignore it? The city owns the property and can make any rules to govern it. If anyone thinks this is some willy-nilly plan with no rules, climb out from under a rock. Talk or email your politicians and you will see they have a plan.
For anyone who lacks the empathy for these people, I feel sorry for you. Most my friend have left the state, moved far away, or live just as expensively in Cornville or Cottonwood than they did here. There was a time when we had homes with people renting rooms to locals, but it far more profitable to rent it for a few days a month!
I suggest your friend to take his head out of his rear end, and talk to locals.” Hey where ya live?” “Whats it cost ya?”” “How often have you moved since you have been here?” I find it hard to believe they are not aware of this awful problem, and it just keeps getting worse. And also think about what its like living in a car and getting a good night sleep when its below freezing!
People who lack empathy I have no room for, and I would be moving slowly away from your friend. They must of been putting up one hell of an act all these years, that you thought they were what they said they were!
While I think some sort of shelter is much better than nothing, I think it would be short sighted to see this parking lot as a solution for over inflated housing, ridiculously low wages for such an expensive town, and expensive basics, like food and clothing. To be willing to keep people safe while living in cars is something, a tiny step in a humane direction, but I can’t help but feel disgusted by it, the need for such a thing is incredibly appalling. Sedona, you can do better. Pay your workers enough to live in an actual home, with walls, a kitchen and a bathroom. Don’t think a parking lot is something many will ever really want and that it is a long time solution for a worker shortage, because if that’s the reality for someone struggling, they absolutely will (and should) move on to a place where they can do better for themselves and their loved ones as soon as they can. Pretty scenery only gets one so far.
What about the “SR 179 Pedestrian Crossing at Oak Creek” ?
Won’t that bring all the same issues ?
Hello fellow residents,
Providing a safe place to park is a temporary solution to a segment within our housing crisis. Please know that it not intended to be a permanent solution. Those staying overnight must show proof that they work in Sedona and they cannot stay during the day. This prevents having visitors stay for free. This designated area will have police patrol, port-a-potties and porta- showers…the bare basics to feel decent while homeless. Surely, we can support this effort. In the meantime, our Housing Manager and Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona (HSNA)are working diligently to find better solutions. Call and ask them what they are doing. HSNA bought a hotel in Cottonwood and is in the process of converting a hotel into transitional housing for our most vulnerable people. It will have oversight and services from Catholic Charities. Can we open our minds about housing our neighbors and not be led by fear? That would be a good start. Let’s keep the dialogue open.
I agree with everything you have to say except for the part about “police patrol”. Surely you meant security because the city cannot afford to pay a trained law enforcement officer to be solely utilized for the park. No trained officer in their right mind would put up with being utilized that way. It’s a security job not a LE one. Perhaps some retired LE officers could do a security company start up with personnel that are background checked through the NCIC and other law enforcement systems? Otherwise a local security company would have to be contracted.
Everybody, just be OK with creating a safe and acceptable place for people to be to be while this is sorted out. Be aware there are monumental shifts taking place behind the scenes that are likely to change the current dynamic dramatically.
tOMMY..YOU ALWAYS HAD A BIG AND GIVING HEART. hAVE YOU CONSIDRED A LOW COST HOUSING? oR A MOTEL…YOU LEAVE OUT ALL THE SANITATIONS N OT POSSIBLE IN A CAR..hOW ABOUT SELLING THE CAR (AND THE EXPENSES) AND GET INTO A SHARE HOIME/MOTEL BASIS…TAKE THE BUS, WALK,iF sEDONA HAS A HEART..THEN LET’S BUILD A DORMINTORY STYLE IF …..AND A SHARFED KITCHEN….LET’S HELP PEOPLE MOVE BACK INTO SOPCIETY RATHER THAN THE BACK SEAT.wJHERE ARE THE sEDONA HELP CHARITIES? aND WHAT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HELTH DEPART…THE P;ROBLEM NEEDS MORE RFEAKLISM ANDMORE HELP .
MISS YOU, HANK
Robert why? Why would a small bridge that goes underneath 179 do anything? It will be lighted, and have security cameras. You dont think Tlaquepaque has security, and cameras also?
Couldnt they do that at Sunset park with that thinking? Posse Grounds? No, they get run out or worse.
Considering how volatile every issue is in this town (remember the street light installation?), I wish the parking lot idea had been presented to the community with information about if it would be monitored and how this would be implemented. Tommy, you assumed there would be monitoring. Your friend probably assumed there would be none. I don’t know which is correct. As appalled, as I am that people have to live in their cars, I would not be in favor of this without monitoring. In my mind, your friend is correct. It would end up being a camping spot for all sorts of people, including those with drug issues, etc.
Side note, I agree with the gal that says higher wages are in order. I disagree that Airbnb owners are phonies. The blame for Sedona turning into an Airbnb town, is with Gov. Ducey, and him alone.
Using the Cultural Center for anything but cultural, inspiring, tasteful, and fun events is short sighted for sure. Let’s rehab the Cultural Center for what it was intended for and give the residents of Sedona and VOC something they will value. Thinking about lodging, car parking, hygiene needs, etc….for those who are working here is something that needs more intensive and future oriented thought. Look to the Japanese for brilliant ideas.
Hi Tommy,
This is a complex issue! I wanted to offer this… 40 years ago, I was homeless myself, living in my car, in the parking lot of a major studio I worked for in Burbank. The company fell on hard times and couldn’t make payroll on time, so I lost my apartment. Hopefully, those who know me don’t consider me a danger because I was once homeless. I know several people who were homeless and living on the national forest while working full time for Pink Jeep Tours! There are many responsible, hard working people in Sedona who have fallen on hard times, lost their businesses, and could really use a leg up. (They are not responsible for central bank created inflation, or the 4,000 Airbnb’s that have forced many out of their long term rentals) Just because one is temporarily homeless, does not mean they choose it as a lifestyle or run with the dregs of society. Even as a temporary measure, living in cars this winter, with a freezing cold, wet, El Niño season coming our way is inhumane itself.
I am involved with the committee trying to resurrect the Cultural Park Amphitheater, and the plan going forward does include work force housing on the property. But there is not yet enough support from the city government to move this plan forward. Not that it would remedy the suffering that the homeless will endure here this winter.
If it were me living out of my car, I would have left Sedona in search of a more secure lifestyle, a bigger community, with much more opportunity for employment and a real way forward in life. This kind of responsible thinking would of course further challenge local businesses for its sorely needed work force, but it is a natural consequence of their actions. It is in the best interests of all local businesses to come together and help to find creative solutions to collectively bolster the financial and housing security of their employees. To truly offer a living wage, and perhaps create a collective organization to ensure available housing to those most “at risk” employees they depend on to open their doors. It is short sighted to think Sedona will turn into a little LA with drug dealers and crime, etc. Our population is far too small to warrant such fears from the homeless. The rampant growth of AirBnb’s are far more likely to bring more of that element here. Drug dealers make a much better wage than most of our local employees. I hope that between the city council and local businesses, Sedona can arrive at forward thinking solutions that protect our local economy, and those most vulnerable who serve our local businesses. A safe place to live in a car through the on-coming winter is Not a humane solution. A more proactive solution is desperately needed. Local businesses will need to collectively shoulder the burden of their most vulnerable employees, or suffer their on-going personnel losses to even greater extent. Perhaps a solution would be for local businesses to fund something akin to a local Civilian Conservation Corps, ensuring housing for the most vulnerable employees, and providing a current data base of available employment in the Verde Valley.
Spot On Tim!
This sounds like a great temporary solution to use this property until it is needed for something else. It is a huge plot of land that is useless right this minute.Working people who are newly homeless truly do see their situation as temporary. I say go forward with the stipulation that they show proof of employment. Let them save up for housing and also be of service to our community with dignity. This is not the addicted side of homelessness. Have a heart, Sedona.
Jeanie