Sacramento, California – Sacramento’s latest push to reshape its response to housing and homelessness is moving from discussion toward a more formal regional framework, as the City, County and the Sacramento Continuum of Care work to strengthen coordination across agencies and communities.
On April 28, the Sacramento City Council directed City staff to pursue a new governance structure designed to bring local elected officials and Continuum of Care representatives into closer alignment. The goal is to create a clearer system for setting policy direction, coordinating strategies, sharing information and aligning funding priorities across the region.
The proposed framework follows a similar model previously approved by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. While the new structure would create a shared forum for broader regional decision making, individual jurisdictions would still keep final authority over projects and funding decisions within their own communities.
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Mayor Kevin McCarty said the urgency of the crisis requires a more modern and accountable approach.
“Too many people continue to languish – and even die – on our streets,” McCarty said.
“Homelessness has changed dramatically since the Continuum of Care was established in 2010, and we must modernize our systems to better meet today’s challenges. The public demands greater urgency, stronger accountability, and measurable results for every tax dollar spent. We are strengthening our partnership with the County and neighboring jurisdictions because addressing this crisis remains our highest priority.”
The effort took another step forward on May 13, when the Continuum of Care Board voted to join the City and County in continuing work on the proposed model. Under the framework now being discussed, elected officials from Sacramento, the County and surrounding cities would serve alongside community members on a new CoC governing board focused on housing and homelessness efforts.
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Community involvement would remain part of the process through committee participation and broader Continuum of Care membership. An independent administrator would also help support daily coordination and implementation, adding structure to a system that officials say needs stronger regional alignment.
City, County, CoC and interested surrounding city representatives will continue working through key details, including board membership, responsibilities and implementation steps. Once those details are further developed, the proposal is expected to return to the appropriate governing bodies for future consideration.
More information about the City’s comprehensive response to the homelessness crisis is available through the City of Sacramento’s homelessness resources.