Cities Often Squabble over Homelessness. A New Law Forces One Community to Try Something Different – WTOP News
The law preserves local control over funding and programs while requiring the region to coordinate homelessness services through a joint powers authority.
- On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 802, requiring Sacramento County and the cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and Folsom to establish a regional housing and homelessness joint powers authority by Jan. 1, 2028.
- Sacramento Democratic Sen. Angelique Ashby argued the region needed this legislation because its agencies have nearly 90 board members working separately on homelessness without coordinating effectively.
- The 2026 Point-in-Time Count revealed a 12.7% increase in homelessness across Sacramento County compared to 2024, with 4,205 people unsheltered and 3,253 in shelters or transitional housing.
- Opponents, including Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, warned the unprecedented state mandate could add bureaucracy and increase costs, potentially affecting 57 other counties across California.
- Local leaders must now determine how to govern the authority and share responsibilities, aiming to avoid pitfalls seen in The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which faced recent audits regarding fund management.
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16 Articles
The Toronto Star
Cities often squabble over homelessness. A new law forces one community to try something different
The Legislature is forcing the city and county of Sacramento to try something unusual in their fight against homelessness, and both critics and supporters of the controversial plan say it could have broad implications for the rest of the state.
Cities often squabble over homelessness. A new law forces one community to try something different – WTOP News
The Legislature is forcing the city and county of Sacramento to try something unusual in their fight against homelessness, and both critics and supporters of the controversial plan say it could have broad implications for the rest of the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 802 on Sunday, which requires Sacramento, as well as...
Cal Matters
Cities often squabble over homelessness. A new California law forces one community to try something different
A new law forces Sacramento city and county to collaborate on homelessness. Stakeholders say it could have repercussions California-wide.
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