Overview

On February 7, 2022, several elected officials (along with city employees and Hope Cooperative) held a meeting to discuss the controversial homeless shelter. This meeting included several important elected officials:

• Sean Loloee - Sacramento City Councilmember for District 2
• Rich Desmond - Sacramento County Supervisor for District 3
• Phil Serna - Sacramento County Supervisor for District 1

The discussion that followed showed that the City's plan was poorly understood by elected officials outside of Sacramento City.

The Voice of the People

Chat Window
Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite CenterWhile the meeting progressed, citizens posted comments and questions in the chat Window. The public was not allowed to speak and very few comments were addressed. Some of the public's comments are preserved below. Their voices matter. They deserve to be heard.

	It's interesting that the City of Sacramento consistently "finds" places to solve the City's homeless problems that are immediately adjacent to the voiceless unincorporated area and as far as possible from where voters live in the City of Sacramento.
	Michael Seaman Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	What place guards will the City have in place to ensure the City's homeless do not venture into the County upon leaving the City's shelter?
	Richard Personius Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	Anyone find this odd that city thinks this location is best option? Ridiculously far from city homelessness. Do they plan on busing them from downtown?
	Heidi O'Connor Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	How are the departments responsible for placement and running the respite center working with the understaffed and underfunded sheriff's department, CHP, and public safety who will be managing the problems between the residents/ businesses and the respite center individuals?
	Matt Wong Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	I own my office in the Lincoln Center on Watt and Auburn. In the past 9 years, I've seen the homeless problem worsen. This is a terrible idea and location for a homeless shelter. Next to a children's receiving home? I have many disgusting examples of our experiences with the homeless on our property.
	Arturo Benavidez Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	Drug addicts and mentally ill next door to the children's receiving home, a couple of blocks from Arcade middle school and less than a mile from Pasadena Elementary School. What about the [innocent] children. We have the housing for women released from prison, sexual predators and nefarious characters using the parks for sex and drugs.
	Penny Mozell Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	I appreciate that there is a public hearing. However, I have several concerns. First, if this was meant to be a truly public hearing it would have not been held at 9 am on Monday when most people are working. Second it would have occurred prior to signing the contract.
	John Allen Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	I find it amusing that after overwhelming surrounding resident and business pushback we are finally invited to a meeting after months of hiding this horrible idea and signing a contract.
	Jason Musial Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	...originally 2 security guards were in the budget, but now I've been told they are marked as a "maybe". And they are for them - not their residents around the center. They are not providing any support for those of us in the immediate vicinity!
	Celeste Romo Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

What is the strategy of the County in providing similar "Temporary Respite Centers". This location is agitating County residents because the site is a program of the City and therefore we have no vote we can use to hold accountable elected officials if it comes to pass that there happens [unforeseen] consequences. If this were a Sacramento County joint program, we would have a more clear contribution and accommodation for this.

David Jacobs Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	[From] this declaration in March 2021, does this then turn immediately into a year round respite center? https://sacramentocityexpress.com/2021/03/10/city-council-approves-keeping-overnight-respite-centers-open-year-round/
	Matt Wong Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	Since this does not appear to have much support by the presenters and the community why is this being pushed. Who is pushing this and why are they not on this meeting?
	Jason Musial Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

Is there anywhere the local community can view the data and research that was collected that deemed this location suitable as a homeless/winter respite? I am concerned how providing services to individuals with substance abuse being next door to Children's Receiving Home and a park is acceptable? Exposing children to potential drug paraphernalia should a deciding factor moving forward to support this location as inappropriate.

Nicole Viehman Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	We deserve more protection services. If the city council is going to force this on our neighborhood then we should have more Sherriff, city police available. Not just in the exact location but at least a 5 mile radius. We need something more permanent for the homeless. Band-Aids cost more money in the long run.
	Cathy "Two Stars" Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	Looking at this from a program research perspective, and Evidence Based Practices this location would be absolutely terrible to place a Homeless Respite Center at. You would be placing a High Risk Population (homeless/drug addicted/mentally ill, sex offenders, etc.) immediately adjacent to an already High Risk Population (foster/abused children).
	Kelly Hunley Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	I live near Arcade Creek and many of the people living there are not interested in shelters.
	Diane Hayward Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	Again - my husband and I own the apartment complex DIRECTLY across the street and NO ONE has EVER contacted us about this... so I'm curious as to who you all say you've been talking to???
	Celeste Romo Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	If the proposed center does not pose a threat of increased crime, then why would we need constant security and the cooperation of local authorities.
	Nicole Viehman Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	This is going to exacerbate the problem we already have, This "secure area" you mention will only encourage more camps and activities to be established in the park and neighborhood areas nearby.
	Pat Saunders Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	Will the City have the ability to stop people from camping on County sidewalks? Will the Idaho court ruling prevent City efforts to remove campers from public sidewalks?
	Richard Personius Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

What happened to all the "other" sites you have worked on for over a year? Why aren't you spending your energies and our time to get those up and running? I thought we were getting new ball park, soccer fields and other sports related facilities in this area. What happened to all that happening? How about the thousands of pounds of needles, condoms, human feces taken out of this creek behind the center?

Dawna Enders Chat Window Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

Videos and Quotes From The Panel

	It first came up in November as a winter respite... and it seems like is has morphed into something different.
	Rich Desmond Sacramento County Supervisor for District 3 Sacramento County Meeting February 7, 2022

	And it seems like it's being contemplated as more of a permanent respite site... and I am adamantly opposed to that.
	Rich Desmond Sacramento County Supervisor for District 3 Sacramento County Meeting February 7, 2022

	As far as my district, which is District 2, I am a strong 'no' on this site.
	Sean Loloee Sacramento City Councilmember - District 2 Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	I think it's clear, by way of the chat, there tends to be some serious concern out there.
	Phil Serna Sacramento County Supervisor for District 1 Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022

	I've recently had a chance to, as recently as late last week, meet remotely with Children's Receiving Home representatives... and I think their concerns are very legitimate. But, they also have the overall concern of not knowing what it is.
	Phil Serna Sacramento County Supervisor for District 1 Town Hall: Sacramento City Proposed Auburn Blvd Respite Center February 7, 2022