San Luis Obispo rancher who housed homeless is sentenced to jail for safety code violations

A San Luis Obispo rancher who for years has illegally housed homeless people was ordered today to serve 90 days in jail.

A defiant Dan de Vaul stretched out his arms and let deputies place handcuffs on him before being led out of the San Luis Obispo courtroom. The 66-year-old defendant was offered probation after a jury convicted him in September of two misdemeanor violations of building and safety codes at his Sunny Acres ranch.

But De Vaul refused the terms of his probation because he said it would mean he could no longer provide shelter for about 30 people who reside in his sober-living facility. For eight years, he’s operated the program on his 72-acre ranch, housing clients in mobile homes, tents, garden sheds and an aging Victorian home.

For a time, he also housed people in a three-story stucco barracks until it was shut down last year.

“The first condition of probation is obey all laws,” De Vaul said before the hearing, which was attended by about 30 of his supporters. “I’m proud to go to jail for housing the homeless.”

Superior Court Judge John Trice said San Luis Obispo officials have repeatedly offered to help De Vaul bring his property up to code. But De Vaul has declined all attempts at help, Trice said.

“Such conduct can only be viewed as irresponsible and arrogant,” the judge said before sentencing him to jail.

De Vaul was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

-- Catherine Saillant in San Luis Obispo

Photo: San Luis Obispo deputy sheriff Noah Martin puts the handcuffs on Dan De Vaul after De Vaul was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

Related

Story: A rehab center is praised -- and vilified

Photos: Needed haven or unsafe eyesore?

Comments

[Matt Lombardini]

A Volunteer's Perspective:

Whether homeless people are better off in the creek or in what modern society deems to be sub-standard structure’s not built to code is an ethical matter not a legal issue. Laws are often passed that are put forth for the benefit of the people by the people. However, there are times when extenuating circumstances exist which may override the law. I believe this to be the case regarding Sunny Acres and Dan De Vaul’s actions. Mr. De Vaul is a bit of a Renegade. It is precisely because of this quality that he has been able to stand up to the powers to be and do what he feels ‘morally and spiritually obligated’ to do in order to help people less fortunate then himself and others. He presents a challenge to the status quo and this is what set’s him apart from many others. This is a man who stands by what he believes in and does not waver.

The only thing Mr. De Vaul is guilty of is acting from a place of decency and concern for his fellow man. He watched people living in tents all winter long and felt he had no choice but to do what he did. He created conditions that were better than what they had, while the county was unwilling to help with this process by simply reducing permit fees. Consequently, when the county condemned the building, the residents were forced back into tents and many left traumatized returning to the creek sides where they formerly lived.

Unless the laws are relaxed and fees are reduced for required permits, the idea of ending homelessness in our county with the assistance of non-profit agencies may never be realized. In many ways Sunny Acres represents a time gone by when it was ok for one man to help another with what he had to work with. In light of this, I believe the current system warrants serious examination of the way we address issues such as homelessness in our county and throughout the Country.

"The poor who have neither property, friends, nor strength to labor are boarded in the houses of good farmers, to whom a stipulated sum is annually paid. To those who are able to help themselves a little or have friends from whom they derive some succor, inadequate however to their full maintenance, supplementary aids are given which enable them to live comfortably in their own houses or in the houses of their friends. Vagabonds without visible property or vocation, are placed in work houses, where they are well clothed, fed, lodged, and made to labor." -- Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia Q.XIV, 1782. ME 2:184

Matt Lombardini
Volunteer / Sunny Acres, Inc.
www.sunnyacresca.com

[Cat]

Dan de Vaul is an amazing person. To give up his own time, his own money, his own resources to help people who are struggling, needy, and hungry is an amazing thing. This man should be praised, not punished. Shame on our government, and that court, for putting this man behind bars.
People wonder why theres so much greed and violence, but then they punish those who are helping in the best way they can.

[gardens sheds]

there you go.. that's they way to do it