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Saturday, July 2, 2016

Sacramento Installs Mobile Bathroom for the Homeless

By AVIANNE TAN







Sacramento Installs Mobile Bathroom for the Homeless

Carlos Eliason/City of Sacramento

For many homeless Americans, just being able to use the bathroom can be a daily challenge.
"A lot of people go on the sidewalk and in the street," Lonnie Morning, a 52-year-old homeless man in Sacramento, California, recently told local paper The Sacramento Bee.

WATCH & READ






Sacramento Installs Mobile Bathroom for the Homeless

PHOTO: The city of Sacramento in California launched "Pit Stop," an attended public restroom program on June 20, 16. The program aims to provide a safe and clean bathroom for homeless people in the city. PlayCarlos Eliason/City of Sacramento
WATCH Sacramento Unveils Restrooms for the Homeless

For many homeless Americans, just being able to use the bathroom can be a daily challenge.
"A lot of people go on the sidewalk and in the street," Lonnie Morning, a 52-year-old homeless man in Sacramento, California, recently told local paper The Sacramento Bee.
"It’s disgusting," he said, but "not because they want to be disgusting. It’s because there is nowhere to go."
To Morning's relief -- and to that of hundreds more homeless people in Sacramento -- the city has recently launched "Pit Stop," a mobile public restroom program that will "provide people a place to take care of their needs with dignity," according to a statement.
The program is currently in a 6-month testing period, and the first portable restroom trailer was parked in the city's River District last week, according to Emily Halcon, the city's homeless services coordinator.
The city chose the River District for its pilot site since it is "the area with the highest concentration of unsheltered people in Sacramento" and because "the area is very industrial and there are few public buildings where unsheltered folks can access restroom facilities," Halcon said.
The newly placed mobile restroom, which is fully lit and air conditioned, contains three toilet stalls -- including one that provides accommodations to people with disabilities. There are also sinks, used-needle receptacles and dog waste stations.

WATCH & READ






Sacramento Installs Mobile Bathroom for the Homeless

PHOTO: The city of Sacramento in California launched "Pit Stop," an attended public restroom program on June 20, 16. The program aims to provide a safe and clean bathroom for homeless people in the city. PlayCarlos Eliason/City of Sacramento
WATCH Sacramento Unveils Restrooms for the Homeless

For many homeless Americans, just being able to use the bathroom can be a daily challenge.
"A lot of people go on the sidewalk and in the street," Lonnie Morning, a 52-year-old homeless man in Sacramento, California, recently told local paper The Sacramento Bee.
"It’s disgusting," he said, but "not because they want to be disgusting. It’s because there is nowhere to go."
To Morning's relief -- and to that of hundreds more homeless people in Sacramento -- the city has recently launched "Pit Stop," a mobile public restroom program that will "provide people a place to take care of their needs with dignity," according to a statement.
The program is currently in a 6-month testing period, and the first portable restroom trailer was parked in the city's River District last week, according to Emily Halcon, the city's homeless services coordinator.
The city chose the River District for its pilot site since it is "the area with the highest concentration of unsheltered people in Sacramento" and because "the area is very industrial and there are few public buildings where unsheltered folks can access restroom facilities," Halcon said.
The newly placed mobile restroom, which is fully lit and air conditioned, contains three toilet stalls -- including one that provides accommodations to people with disabilities. There are also sinks, used-needle receptacles and dog waste stations.
But perhaps most important to the program's success are the restroom's attendants.
The mobile restroom is staffed at all times while it's open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Halcon said. She explained that during these times, there is always one attendant in the trailer to make ensure the toilets are clean, functioning and used for intended purposes.
There is also another attendant who walks the area's perimeter to engage with the community and provide referrals to resources, services and centers if needed, Halcon said. She added that the mobile restroom is moved to a safe location on evenings and weekends to prevent the facility from being vandalized or abused when it cannot be staffed.




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City Launches ‘Pit Stop’ Attended Public Restroom Programhttps://sacramentocityexpress.com/2016/06/20/city-launches-pit-stop-attended-public-restroom-program/ 


http://abcnews.go.com/US/sacramento-creates-mobile-restroom-make-access-easier-cleaner/story?id=40277303

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