By Sara Beth Williams–
In an effort to inform the public of the city’s efforts in addressing homelessness, the City of Citrus Heights recently launched a dedicated page on its website titled “Responding to Homelessness.”
The website serves as a hub of resources and provides information on local programs, such as the new Community Health Workers program, which provides an outreach team of two Health Workers who help connect unhoused individuals with services. The page also provides details on weather respite locations, information on blight abatement municipal codes, and content about the Citrus Heights Police Department’s “enforcement model” for illegal camping and trespassing.
The website also includes recent homeless census data, showing a 14% increase in the number of people living on the streets in Citrus Heights, according to a 2024 count conducted by the Police Department.
According to the website, the city has recently implemented several projects to address both homelessness and a lack of housing. The Fair Oaks Senior Apartments, which are currently listed as still under construction, plan to offer 108 low-income apartments to seniors. In 2023, the city completed Sunrise Pointe, a 46-unit apartment project that provides permanent supportive housing for those in need, due to homelessness and mental health issues.
Recently, the City Council awarded a half-million-dollar grant to Hope Cooperative, a nonprofit planning to redevelop the Auburn Oaks senior living complex into a permanent supportive housing for seniors experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. More than 80 studio and one-bedroom apartments are planned.
Related: Rehab of ‘dilapidated’ complex for homeless, at-risk seniors moves forward
The Planning Commission also recently approved a housing project on Sayonara Drive that would add 26 new low-income affordable homes available for purchase. The project was made possible through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
The Responding to Homelessness web page also provides links to regional resources, such as Sacramento County Health Services, homeless services, emergency housing and assistance programs, and human assistance programs. The city encourages homeless individuals to “work with city staff, police officers, and/or program representatives” to locate shelter and other resources throughout the region when necessary.
Homeless advocates have expressed frustration with some of the city’s responses to homelessness and blight on the streets. Alfred Sanchez, who has been a vocal advocate for the homeless, told The Sentinel that camping ordinances have not been consistently followed by police and that personal belongings of the unhoused are improperly seized and are being thrown away instead of returned to the police station for holding.
In a letter to the editor, Sanchez said, “This city calls everything ‘camping.’ There are over 9,000 homeless on the streets in Sacramento County and less than 3,000 shelter beds. There is literally nowhere for homeless to sleep.”
At a Sept. 11 City Council meeting, council members heard from local homeless advocates who cited an increase in individuals needing to sleep in their vehicles because of a lack of available housing throughout the region. Sanchez told the council he had to sleep in his car while he was employed and is “sympathetic” to people who are experiencing the same circumstances.
One resident spoke in favor of a full ban on sleeping in vehicles, warning that allowing anyone to sleep in a passenger vehicle would result in an influx of more people coming into the city from other jurisdictions to sleep in their vehicles.
On its website, the city said community feedback has been “instrumental” in shaping strategies and programs, ensuring they “evolve to meet the needs of both housed and unhoused residents.”
“Our approach is comprehensive: we offer supportive programming while enforcing laws to maintain public safety,” the city said.
Want to share your thoughts on homelessness in Citrus Heights? Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
In an effort to inform the public of the city’s efforts in addressing homelessness, the City of Citrus Heights recently launched a dedicated page on...
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