Attorneys representing about 60 people living at a former Albany landfill that's been designated to be part of a state park are going to court to stop the city from kicking them off the property.
In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed yesterday, lawyers for homeless residents of the site, known as the Albany Bulb, said the intended eviction would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and a host of provisions in the U.S. and California and constitutions, including the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth amendments. The suit requests a temporary restraining order to stop the relocation of Bulb residents, which could take place as early as next week.
As part of its plan to turn over management of the property to McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, the city announced its attention to evict those who have for years occupied parts of the Bulb. The city, which provides no shelter or services for the homeless, has brought in outside community service agencies to try to connect Bulb residents with housing and other aid. The city is also building temporary bunkhouse-style shelters adjacent to the property for about 30 people.
The complaint lists 10 Bulb residents as plaintiffs, one of whom is described in the suit as living at the site for most of the last 20 years. Maureen Sheehy, an attorney for the residents, says Albany's plan is unconstitutional and the temporary shelters violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Attorney Maureen Sheehy said the suit aims "to protect a very vulnerable population that frankly is often overlooked by our society." She added that attorneys for the homeless, including veteran homeless advocate and artist Osha Neumann and the East Bay Community Law Center, only filed the suit after negotiations with the city broke down.