Sacramento Area Leaders Hold First Joint Homelessness Summit to Coordinate Regional Response

Leaders from Sacramento County, the City of Sacramento, and six surrounding cities convened for the first-ever joint meeting to address the worsening homelessness crisis in the region, emphasizing the need for coordinated responses and data transparency. Officials, including Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and County Supervisor Serna, highlighted the complexity of homelessness and the importance of partnership among jurisdictions to develop effective solutions. Presentations detailed recent investments exceeding $418 million in shelter, housing, behavioral health, and safety-net programs, while also noting funding limitations due to reliance on one-time or restricted grants. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper stressed the necessity of including law enforcement in collaborative efforts and shared data revealing that many homeless individuals have frequent law enforcement contact, underscoring the crisis's scope and the need for better inter-agency cooperation. The meeting aimed to establish a time-limited regional task force to enhance coordination and build a comprehensive countywide vision for tackling homelessness. This collaborative approach marks a significant step toward addressing homelessness across city lines in the Sacramento region.