Placer County continues conversation on homelessness

Published on September 18, 2015

The public is invited to attend a community meeting Thursday, Sept. 24 to discuss homelessness in Placer County and the temporary shelter in North Auburn.  

The meeting will be held in the Planning Commission Hearing Room of the Community Development Resource Center located at 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn at 5:30 p.m. 

Interested residents unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to provide feedback.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted Aug. 18 to allow Right Hand Auburn to continue providing services to the homeless at the temporary shelter on the Placer County Government Center campus in North Auburn. The approval included expanding the shelter to a 24/7 model and increasing the number of available beds from 50 to 75. 

Right Hand Auburn shared at the Aug. 18 board meeting that the shelter was full every night during the 90-day trial period and many had to be turned away.

Supervisors heard that having access to the shelter, and the services it provides, is helping change lives – several people have found jobs as a result.

“In allowing a shelter in North Auburn we made a promise to keep engaging with the community to make sure we’re doing the right thing for the people who need these services, but also for neighborhood residents,” said Jeff Brown, Director of Health and Human Services. “While we continue to look for longer-term solutions, we want everyone to know we’re still here to continue that discussion.”

Future community meetings will be held Oct. 22, Nov. 19, and Dec. 17.