Rehab of ‘dilapidated’ complex for homeless, at-risk seniors moves forward

By Sara Beth Williams–
An area nonprofit seeking to provide low-income housing for seniors who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless won approval from the Citrus Heights City Council last month for a $500,000 grant.

After expressing multiple concerns to the nonprofit during a prior meeting, the council heard a follow up presentation on Aug. 28 regarding the request for grant funding from Hope Cooperative. The nonprofit plans to purchase and perform a full rehabilitation of the senior housing complex located at 7501 Auburn Blvd.

Councilmember Porsche Middleton, who voiced support for awarding the grant at the previous council meeting, was absent from the Aug. 28 meeting.

The follow up presentation zeroed in on concerns previously expressed by the council, including concerns related to whether minors would be allowed to live at the facility, whether Sacramento or Citrus Heights residents would be referred to the facility, and the potential negative impact another low-income housing complex will have on the surrounding neighborhood.

Addressing concerns, a city staff report said federal fair housing law will not allow Citrus Heights residents to receive priority when applying for rent at the facility. The report also said minors will be allowed as residents in rare cases where the minor is a dependent of the primary resident, who will all be 55+ in age. Staffing will also be a 1-18 ratio at the facility, according to Hope Cooperative.

Currently, the city said, the Auburn Oaks facility incurs a higher number of police service calls because of a lack of active management on site, which would otherwise handle on-site problems. The city’s community development director told the council the current facilities are “pretty dilapidated,” with many buildings requiring new roofing and HVAC systems. Hope Cooperative says it will provide 24-hour management services on site seven days a week, as part of its permanent, supportive housing program.

According to the city, the existing assisted living units at Auburn Oaks are only filled with about 20 residents, and all existing residents will be allowed to remain. A total of 88 units would be offered, with Hope Cooperative planning to combine the existing assisted living units into studio and one-bedroom apartments, and the existing apartments will be updated throughout. Hope Cooperative will also be providing on-site supportive services and case management, the city said.

Hope Cooperative previously received a $25 million Community Care Expansion Capital Expansion grant from the California Department of Social Services. After identifying a shortfall in funding, the nonprofit requested gap funding from the City of Citrus Heights to support the project. The grant amount would come from the city’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding.

The project is designed to “expand capacity to serve vulnerable seniors” who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, the city said, adding that Hope Cooperative is a “responsive” service provider with extensive experience of over 40 years.

Up to 30 units would be allocated toward accommodating those with behavioral health needs, referred from the Sacramento Behavioral Health full-service Partnership. Another 28 units would be referred from Sacramento Steps Forward. Lastly, up to 30 additional units would be allocated for those referred from Sacramento County Department of Family, Child, and Adult Services.

To be eligible, heads of household will need to be 55 years of age or older, be experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, and have an income of less than 50 percent of the surrounding area’s income level. New annual income eligibility is released each year.

In January 2024, The Sentinel reported that living conditions at the former skilled nursing facility “have been poor from the start,” according to residents interviewed by Sentinel staff. Brown water was reportedly coming from bathroom fixtures, along with recurring pest problems and other issues.

At least one resident was referred to the facility under Project Roomkey, a statewide project launched during the pandemic to provide non-congregate shelter options for people experiencing homelessness.

See prior story: Residents facing eviction at senior living complex in Citrus Heights – Citrus Heights Sentinel