District candidates outline housing, safety priorities

Chico City Council candidates offered contrasting approaches to homelessness, housing and city spending. Tracy Vincent supports enforcing camping and public-space rules while connecting people with shelter and services, describing her approach as “compassionate boundaries”; Shelby Hebert favors managed campgrounds, case management and housing-focused services, arguing that citations and repeated sweeps do not address the causes of homelessness. On housing, Hebert calls for reviewing zoning and development standards, while Vincent supports responsible infill and decisions grounded in housing need, infrastructure and affordability. Tom Van Overbeek identifies public safety and infrastructure as Chico’s top budget priorities and says the city’s current spending mix is appropriate; he also attributes high local housing costs largely to scarce, expensive land.