Placer County is stepping up its efforts to tackle homelessness with the approval of two service contracts for The Gathering Inn, totaling over $7 million to support the county's unsheltered residents. According to a recent announcement from the County of Placer, the agreements will ensure the operation of both a congregate shelter and a mobile temporary shelter, complete with essential supportive services.
The first contract, which is set to last until May 9, 2027, will allow The Gathering Inn to continue to run the congregate shelter at 11442 E Avenue in Auburn, with the possibility to extend for an additional two years. This commitment represents an investment of up to $3,635,950 and comes with revamped residency requirements designed to serve local inhabitants. These stipulations demand clients to prove they've been in Placer County for at least one year. A state ID suffices, or alternatively, a stamp of approval from a Homeless Liaison Team member can to serve as valid proof, as reported by the County of Placer.
Further details outlined on the County of Placer's website show that the mobile temporary shelter, situated at the Placer County Government Center in North Auburn, will be operational through June 30, 2027, under a separate contract valued at up to $3,390,509. Here too, there's an option to extend for two more years if required. Both contracts include performance goals aimed at transitioning at least 30% of residents into alternative housing annually.
In her comments, Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore highlighted the importance of having goals, saying, "Homelessness is a deeply human issue. We must offer help, but we must also have clear goals and expectations," according to the County of Placer's webpage. The management of these contracts will transition to the Health and Human Services Department, which already has an established working relationship with the Homeless Liaison Team.
With operational costs rising, the county has been forced to implement an 11% increase over the two-year period of the contracts. However, the financial burden has been partly eased with the allocation of $1.25 million from opioid settlement funds, a move aimed to support staff focusing on substance use and mental health services. "We are pleased to see the continued success of The Gathering Inn as our unsheltered residents progress towards employment and permanent housing," District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson stated. "The journey out of homelessness is quite difficult and it truly takes a village to make a difference. I am proud of how Placer County is managing its homeless programs." The Gathering Inn has been pivotal in providing shelter and support to the county's homeless population for over two decades, helping hundreds to make the critical transition towards stability, as stated by the County of Placer.
