Placer Awards Contract for Temporary Homeless Shelter in North Auburn

Published on May 03, 2016

The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to award a contract to Volunteers of America of Northern California and Northern Nevada Inc. to continue operating the temporary emergency homeless shelter in North Auburn through a temporary conditional use permit until March 2017.

The now-completed bid process allows homeless shelter services to continue while a regional plan for longer-term solutions continues to be developed.

Volunteers of America, in partnership with Right Hand Auburn, has operated the homeless shelter since June 2015, providing shelter and services for an average of more than 75 people per night over the past five months.

“The homeless shelter has been very successful, allowing individuals to stabilize and move on appropriately,” said Volunteers of America Chief Executive Officer Leo McFarland. “Since adding case management services in November, 15 people have been employed, 35 people have moved into housing and 18 people are currently enrolled in treatment programs.”

The board of supervisors also heard an informational item from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department and the Department of Health and Human Services about their collaborative plan to address homelessness, increase accountability and access to services.

The joint presentation allowed the board members an opportunity to review the collaborative plan, offer feedback and preview a pending budget proposal to help implement the plan.

Board members will vote on the pending budget proposal item in June.