Elk Grove's plan to address the issues of homelessness within its borders took a significant stride as city leaders approved a hefty $4.5 million contract to launch a year-round shelter, a move that has elicited a mix of concern and anticipation from the community. Slated to rise at Calvary Christian Center on East Stockton Boulevard, the facility is envisioned as a haven for up to 30 unhoused residents nightly, according to KCRA 3.
The decision, however, has not been without its detractors, with nearby residents like Nancy Sarmento and Brian Sugahrue expressing their unease. Sarmento told KCRA 3, "Usually, they have fliers that would go out into neighborhoods ahead of time saying, this is what we're thinking,” adding, “We got the fliers saying, this is what is happening." Similarly, Sugahrue felt the city's outreach efforts were a formality, stating, "To me it was already set."
The service provider selected to operate the shelter, The Gathering Inn, has faced its share of scrutiny following pushback on a separate project in Lincoln. Keith Diederich, CEO of The Gathering Inn, expressed optimism for the new opportunity with Elk Grove, but deferred any further media inquiries to the city which, as of now, has not made any official available for comment.
Prior developments leading up to this approval process were documented by The Sacramento Bee, which highlighted the city council's intent to secure a site and its initial identification of the Calvary Christian Center as the location of choice. Elk Grove public affairs manager Kristyn Laurence confirmed that the city's efforts to locate a long-term home for the shelter were "already underway," a sentiment that sits in stark contrast to the immediacy for action palpated in the community's response.
With the shelter expected to commence operations by early November, city officials have also laid out plans to explore long-term options starting in 2025, suggesting a determination to tackle this systemic issue beyond temporary fixes. Undoubtedly, the shelter is destined to operate through at least October of 2028, ostensibly offering a bridge to a more stable and sustainable solution for Elk Grove's unhoused population.
