Sacramento city leaders approve new strategies to address homelessness

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Sacramento city leaders have voted to move forward with new strategies to address the homelessness crisis, including transitioning the city motel program for families into a voucher-based program and introducing monthly fees for micro-communities.

Sacramento County has more than 3,200 people and 700 families still waiting for shelter.

While the city operates 18 shelter sites with 1,375 beds at a cost of $28 million a year, leaders say it’s not enough.

At Tuesday’s meeting, city leaders unanimously voted to transition the city motel program for families into a voucher-based program.

It will be a four-week voucher, renewable for up to six months, which would let people choose participating motels.

City staff say it could save $2 million a year and help stabilize th