Sentinel Staff Report—
Following the Sentinel’s recent report on the city dropping its opposition to a controversial regional homelessness bill, a city spokesperson issued a clarification that Citrus Heights’ formal letter of opposition to Senate Bill 802 remains on record and that previously stated concerns remain in place until the proposed changes to the bill are made that address them directly.
“There were collaborative meetings with productive dialogue between regional leaders (after the initial letter of opposition was sent) to discuss potential revisions that could restore local control over funding,” Citrus Heights Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber said in an email Sunday.
The bill in question proposes to establish a unified Sacramento Area Housing and Homelessness Agency, which would centralize regional homelessness response efforts and funding allocations. As reported previously, Citrus Heights, several other cities, and several Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voiced opposition to the bill, citing concerns over the loss of local control and a lack of collaboration with cities prior to the bill’s sudden introduction.
“If the bill is amended accordingly, Citrus Heights would reconsider modifying its position of opposition to a neutral position, as the negotiated language would align with the city’s legislative platform principles of financial prudence and local control as well as our strategic objective to advance homeless response and prevention,” Huber wrote in her email to The Sentinel, with the city manager included as a recipient.
Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney had told The Sentinel in a July 16 interview that the city dropped its opposition to the bill, noting that acceptable amendments had been agreed to by the bill’s author, California State Sen. Angelique Ashby. Asked last week whether the city was still in opposition to SB 802, Feeney said: “She has agreed to make those amendments, so we would have a neutral position.”
The city’s subsequent statement on Sunday clarifies that any drop in opposition is contingent on the bill being formally amended to the satisfaction of the city.
During a July 16 press conference, which Feeney said several city officials attended, Ashby announced plans to pause her push for passing SB 802, turning it into a two-year bill.
The pause comes with some conditions, according to local news outlets. Ashby outlined four things that leaders must do to meet a January deadline for change, including creating a formal governmental structure with “real” accountability, ensuring dedicated and funded resources (not volunteer-based), considering a dedicated housing and homelessness agency similar to state plans, and ensuring that efforts made include input from smaller cities.
