Sacramento’s transition to a new homeless shelter system leaves dozens in temporary housing uncertain about their future.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, Calif \u2014 Dozens of families living in city-funded temporary housing are searching for their next place to stay as Sacramento transitions to a new homeless shelter system, a change that residents and advocates say has left many uncertain about their options.<\/p>\n
Marcella Parks, a resident of Step Up Sacramento, said she believed her stay at Arden Acres would be her final step before securing permanent housing.<\/p>\n
“We thought this was going to be our last, final step before permanent housing because that is what we were told,” Parks said.<\/p>\n
Parks said she learned she would no longer have housing at Arden Acres as Step Up Sacramento’s contract with the city expires and Sacramento moves to a new emergency shelter voucher program.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the City of Sacramento said families have been offered motel vouchers and other shelter options for months as the transition moves forward.<\/p>\n
Residents and advocacy groups, however, said the process has been difficult.<\/p>\n
“It’s just mass chaos. We have currently about 100 families that have been in contact with us,” said Crystal Sanchez, president of the Sacramento Homeless Union.<\/p>\n
According to Sanchez, those families include households with children, seniors, people who are chronically ill and others living in shelters.<\/p>\n
Some residents at Arden Acres and other communities were directed to five hotels with $55 vouchers.<\/p>\n
“Basically, what they were told was that they were going to go to these different hotels,” Sanchez said. “Three of the five hotels took the $55 voucher, but again, were full.”<\/p>\n
For residents who do not qualify for other options, residents said they would be responsible for paying any hotel costs above the voucher’s value during the 28-day assistance period.<\/p>\n
“The majority of these folks don’t have the funds to put out like that,” Sanchez said.<\/p>\n
Residents said communication about the transition has been a major source of frustration.<\/p>\n
“Big communication problem. And right now, we need that communication. Don’t leave us hanging \u2014 we are making our own answers now at this point,” said Tana Sito, a Step Up resident.<\/p>\n
Sanchez said she understands that funding programs end and services change, but said the impact should not fall on people experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
“Communication is key. We understand funding ends and things transfer, but the impact should have never been seen at the unhoused level,” Sanchez said.<\/p>\n
The City of Sacramento said it has been communicating with residents through town hall-style meetings since February.<\/p>\n
Parks said she feels residents have not been treated fairly during the transition.<\/p>\n
“It’s not fair how they treat us \u2014 they treat us like we are less than human and it is not right,” Parks said.<\/p>\n
Parks also had a message for city leaders.<\/p>\n
“They need to fix it. They really need to fix this crisis,” Parks said.<\/p>\n
City officials said families who are unable to secure a motel room should go to the city’s Outreach and Engagement Center.<\/p>\n
Officials said they are continuing to work through requests referred by the Sacramento Homeless Union and are connecting people with available services.<\/p>\n
According to city officials, a limited number of families were unable to have their vouchers honored because of previous issues. Officials said families who cannot secure a room at one of the participating motels will be offered a spot at the city’s Outreach and Engagement Center, which provides immediate shelter for families with minor children.<\/p>\n