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5 things to know about Sacramento’s plan to tackle homelessness

5 things to know about Sacramento’s plan to tackle homelessness
MAYOR CHALLENGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO COMPLETE IDEAS PRESENTED TONIGHT. >> THIS IS MY OFFER FOR DISTRICT ONE. >> CITY LEADERS SAY THERE IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION. >> THIS IS ME SAYING WE COULD POTENTIALLY DIVERSIFY OUR EFFORTS, REACH MORE PEOPLE, AND GET THEM OFF THE STREET. >> TWO MONTHS AGO, CITY LEADERS APPROVED BUILDING 2 SHELTERS. TONIGHT, THEY SAY HOMELESS PEOPLE NEED MORE OPTIONS LIKE HAVING THEIR OWN HOME. >> THE PROBLEM WITH LARGE SHELTERS THAT PEOPLE DON’T GO THERE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN WITH CHILDREN. >> 50 SCATTERED SITES WOULD BE LOCATED IN NORTH SACRAMENTO AFTER THE CITY ENTERS A MASTER LEASE WITH PROPERTY OWNERS, BUT THE LOCATIONS WOULD NOT BE DISCLOSED TO PROTECT FAMILIES. >> THEY ARE EMBEDDED IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A NORMAL LIFE WITH THEIR KIDS IN SCHOOL, BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THEY HAVE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT HELP TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THEY FACE AS A FORMALLY HOMELESS PERSON. >> THIS ISSUE INCLUDES OTHER INITIATIVES. >> WE MUST BE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT EMPLOYING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES. IT CAN’T BE WON OR THE OTHER. >> MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT NONE OF THESE IDEAS BE SEEN IN ISOLATION BECAUSE WE NEED THEM ALL. >> SACRAMENTO SIDE 85% INCREASE FROM 2015 TO 2017. . >> I AM ENCOURAGED BECAUSE THIS IS THE KIND OF DISCUSSION WE SHOULD BE HAV
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5 things to know about Sacramento’s plan to tackle homelessness
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency presented a five-point plan to tackle homelessness to city leaders Tuesday night. The two-year funding proposal is a compilation of ideas from several city council members in response to Mayor Darrell Steinberg challenging city leaders last year to identify housing options for the homeless. This plan is being in considered alongside previously approved shelter proposals. Here are the five points outlined in the proposal: 1) Scattered sitesCouncilmembers Angelique Ashby and Larry Carr are proposing the city offer individual, scattered housing for homeless families in north and south Sacramento. While the city of Sacramento has approved large, low-barrier shelters in the past, Ashby said the homeless crisis cannot be solved by a one-size-fits-all solution. With this plan, she said the city would diversify its efforts by offering individualized housing, like apartments, to 50 families each year. The city would enter a master lease agreement with property owners, but those locations will not be disclosed to keep homeless families safe.“They have anonymity. And they are embedded in the community with everybody else and they have an opportunity to have a normal life with their kids in school,” Ashby said. “But, the difference between you and them is that they have intensive case management help to address the issues that they face as a formally homeless person.”The two-year cost for this proposal is $5.2 million. The plan aims to help 300 homeless people.2) Overnight parkingCouncilmember Rick Jennings proposed offering overnight parking for up to 50 vehicles, including RVs, where homeless people can safely sleep in their cars. The Sacramento Police Department and other city departments would monitor security, sanitation, restrooms, showers and re-housing services. The two-year cost for this proposal ranges from $1.5 to $2.2 million. The plan aims to help 360 homeless people.3) Tents and sleeping cabinsCouncilmembers Allen Warren and Jeff Harris proposed providing 100 tents or 50 sleeping cabins for homeless people, including their belongings and their pets, in districts two and three. The Sacramento Police Department and other city departments would monitor security, sanitation, restrooms, showers and re-housing services. The two-year cost for tents is $5.8 million. The two-year cost for sleeping cabins is $5.5 million. The plans aim to help 300 homeless people.4) Motel conversionCouncilmember Jeff Harris is recommending the city provide predevelopment funds to convert another motel, like the Capitol Park Hotel, into an emergency shelter. The money would be used for legal fees, construction drawings, permits and other related costs. The two-year cost for predevelopment and construction is $8.7 million. The plan aims to help 400 homeless people.5) Permanent Housing FundingThe SHRA is recommending the city provide up to $10 million for the construction of 100 permanent supportive housing units by 2025. The money would be used for mortgage revenue bonds, tax credits and other programs.

The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency presented a five-point plan to tackle homelessness to city leaders Tuesday night.

The two-year funding proposal is a compilation of ideas from several city council members in response to Mayor Darrell Steinberg challenging city leaders last year to identify housing options for the homeless. This plan is being in considered alongside previously approved shelter proposals.

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Here are the five points outlined in the proposal:

1) Scattered sites

Councilmembers Angelique Ashby and Larry Carr are proposing the city offer individual, scattered housing for homeless families in north and south Sacramento.

While the city of Sacramento has approved large, low-barrier shelters in the past, Ashby said the homeless crisis cannot be solved by a one-size-fits-all solution. With this plan, she said the city would diversify its efforts by offering individualized housing, like apartments, to 50 families each year. The city would enter a master lease agreement with property owners, but those locations will not be disclosed to keep homeless families safe.

“They have anonymity. And they are embedded in the community with everybody else and they have an opportunity to have a normal life with their kids in school,” Ashby said. “But, the difference between you and them is that they have intensive case management help to address the issues that they face as a formally homeless person.”

The two-year cost for this proposal is $5.2 million. The plan aims to help 300 homeless people.

2) Overnight parking

Councilmember Rick Jennings proposed offering overnight parking for up to 50 vehicles, including RVs, where homeless people can safely sleep in their cars.

The Sacramento Police Department and other city departments would monitor security, sanitation, restrooms, showers and re-housing services.

The two-year cost for this proposal ranges from $1.5 to $2.2 million. The plan aims to help 360 homeless people.

3) Tents and sleeping cabins

Councilmembers Allen Warren and Jeff Harris proposed providing 100 tents or 50 sleeping cabins for homeless people, including their belongings and their pets, in districts two and three.

The Sacramento Police Department and other city departments would monitor security, sanitation, restrooms, showers and re-housing services.

The two-year cost for tents is $5.8 million. The two-year cost for sleeping cabins is $5.5 million. The plans aim to help 300 homeless people.

4) Motel conversion

Councilmember Jeff Harris is recommending the city provide predevelopment funds to convert another motel, like the Capitol Park Hotel, into an emergency shelter.

The money would be used for legal fees, construction drawings, permits and other related costs.

The two-year cost for predevelopment and construction is $8.7 million. The plan aims to help 400 homeless people.

5) Permanent Housing Funding

The SHRA is recommending the city provide up to $10 million for the construction of 100 permanent supportive housing units by 2025.

The money would be used for mortgage revenue bonds, tax credits and other programs.