California city to vote on creating homeless campgrounds

MERCED, Calif. -- The Citizens' Advisory Committee on Homelessness will vote tonight on whether the city should allow homeless campgrounds in Merced and whether registered sex offenders should be allowed to stay there, the Merced Sun-Star reported.

Currently, there are several large encampments of homeless people in the city. According to the paper, half of the residents of those camps are registered sex offenders.

The group will explore funding for the campground as well as the role other community organizations should play in operating and serving the campground. Committee members will also address how long people should be able to camp in a temporary or permanent structure, what type of facilities should be offered, and whether they should be handicapped accessible.

To read the complete story in the Merced Sun-Star, click here.