Sacramento County eyes 15 rentals for homeless

SACRAMENTO — After months of developing plans for a San Francisco-style “full service” homeless shelter housing 75 men and women under one roof, Sacramento County staff are recommending — at least in the shortterm — a plan to put those homeless people in 15 rental homes scattered across the county.

The original plan, approved by county supervisors in March, was to create a “Full Service Rehousing Shelter” — a 75-bed, dormitory-style facility with indoor and outdoor space on a large lot, with good access to transportation in a compatible neighborhood. The shelter was intended to help homeless people transition to jobs, permanent housing and public benefits.

Unlike at other shelters, the county would allow homeless people to bring their pets, partners and personal items to encourage them to stay in housing rather than seek independence on the streets.

The shelter plan is just one of several new county initiatives intended to address a growing homeless population. Last week, the county approved a plan to spend $44 million over the next three years to provide services to homeless people, including drug and mental health treatment.