Homeless individuals struggle for a minimal parcel of territory and a revolutionary concept

In the heart of Oakland, California, a group of homeless individuals have been battling for their right to self-governance and a place to call home. This compelling story is the focus of KQED's "Snap Judgment" five-part series, "A Tiny Plot".

The series poses a thought-provoking question: once you're homeless or run out of money in this country, are the choices you're left with even real choices at all? This question resonates deeply as political leaders from both parties have cracked down on homeless populations in recent years, with notable examples such as President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington D.C., leading to the clearance of dozens of homeless encampments.

The story centres around Deanna Riley, a 44-year-old woman who has been homeless for over a decade. She, along with others, found a temporary home at Union Point, a park in Oakland. When the city tried to evict them, Deanna and her fellow residents organised to keep the city out, leading to a dayslong standoff with public works employees.

Initially, the city offered temporary housing, but the residents refused and negotiated for something better. Their demands included running water, showers, a bathroom, a parcel of land for three to five years, weekly trash pickup, a tiny house community, and a certain level of autonomy. After negotiations, the city agreed to support this group to build their own little village on a plot of city land, with the residents themselves getting to decide the rules.

However, the land they were offered came with its own challenges. It was the site where Mama D's son was murdered, and she did not want to have to wake up to that every day. Despite this, the other residents, who were initially super jazzed about the plot of land, ultimately said they wouldn't go without Mama D.

Shaina Shealy, host of "Snap Judgment" and the podcast series "A Tiny Plot", found that getting any real kind of housing is just a total gauntlet. She was shocked to learn how much the services out there that can help homeless people get into real homes don't offer. This led her to document the story of Deanna and her fellow residents at Union Point.

The residents of Union Point refused the city's offer of temporary housing and negotiated for something better. They had elections, appointed a mayor and a spokesperson, and built a barricade around their tent encampment using large items like a broken dishwasher and a toilet seat. Their fight for a self-governed village is a testament to the resilience and determination of the homeless community in Oakland.

The city was desperate to get Deanna Riley and others who were living at Union Point out of the park. But the residents stood their ground, proving that even in the face of adversity, the choice to fight for what they believe in is a choice worth making.

Homeless individuals struggle for a minimal parcel of territory and a revolutionary concept