NORTH HIGHLANDS SAFE STAY COMMUNITY MEETING
The Board of Supervisors recently approved a $23 million real estate purchase for a large property and building off Watt Avenue for a homeless “Safe Stay” site. Supervisors Serna, Frost, and I will host a community meeting on November 1, 2022, to determine the best way to both serve the unhoused population and improve the surrounding community. The Safe Stay proposal will return to the Board of Supervisors on November 15, 2022, with recommendations from staff.
Supervisor Phil Serna, Supervisor Sue Frost, and I invite North Highlands residents and business owners to join us for the community meeting. Come hear a presentation from our County Office of Homeless Initiatives and let us know your thoughts and concerns. For more information on what Sacramento County is doing to address homelessness, visit the new County Office of Homeless Initiatives (OHI) website.
MEETING DATE: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
TIME: 5:30 - 7:00pm
LOCATION: Kay F. Dahill Community Center
North Highlands Recreation and Park District
6040 Watt Avenue
North Highlands, CA 95660
For questions regarding this meeting, please call (916) 874-5471.
HOMELESSNESS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Addressing homelessness continues to be the top priority for the County, as is evidenced by the recently approved 2022-23 budget. With so much happening in this arena, the County often gets questions about what has been funded historically and what new funding is being committed to this issue. To answer these questions, the County put together the following FAQs:
How many people are unhoused in Sacramento County? The latest Point in Time Count (PIT) estimates there are 9,278 people living unhoused in Sacramento County on any given night. Of those, 72 percent are living unsheltered-which means they are living in a tent, a vehicle or without any shelter.
How much does Sacramento County spend on Homelessness? In Fiscal Year 21/22, it is estimated that Sacramento County committed approximately $181 million in funding to provide services and supports to those experiencing homelessness. Much of this funding is on-going annual commitments to current and new programs that provide outreach, shelter, treatment and re-housing services to those living unhoused and help mitigate the impacts to the community. Additional funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was committed in FY 22/23 and will be invested in multi-year projects to increase these services and supports.
Does the County spend more of its annual budget on law enforcement (Sheriff, Probation and District Attorney) than it does on social services? No. The County spends 18% of its budget on law enforcement and 36% of its budget on social services. The County spends more on social services than any other category:
- Social Services: 36%
- Community Services: 26%
- Public Safety and Justice: 18%
- Administrative Services: 12%
- General Government: 8%
What new programs and services has the County invested in this year?
- The County has approved two new-concept locations for Safe Stay Communities in District 2. These sites are under construction and will add another 165 indoor beds that provide privacy, dignity and a place for people to receive services to end their homelessness. The County is currently working to stand up new shelter programs and locations and will announce details around those projects once they go to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
- The County added 11 new behavioral health staff to the Encampment Service Teams to connect people to mental health and substance abuse services.
- The County nearly doubled the budget for substance use prevention and treatment programs since last year, from $45,702,467 to $86,025,022. Among other things, this increase will make 156 new residential treatment beds available.
- $10 million in ARPA funding was allotted for a Landlord Engagement and Assistance Program (LEAP), which will fund re-housing of 300+ households from shelters and encampments.
- $2.5 million will fund 60 beds to support the Parkway Navigation team, prioritizing those exiting the portion of the Parkway between I-5 and Highway 160, with an annual goal of re-housing 400+ people who previously lived on the Parkway.
- $5 million went toward the construction of Marisol Village, an affordable housing project slated to add an additional 116 units to the final project.
- $28 million in MHSA funding has been allocated since 2017 through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Housing Program and No Place Like Home Program, which will house unhoused people experiencing mental illness.
- The County has 221 housing units funded through MHSA and an additional 234 coming in the next two years.
- $5 million is budgeted for Medi-Cal behavioral health crisis stabilization units providing behavioral health services.
- $7.5 million in MHSA funds and federal match will provide additional Full Service Partnerships to increase services for permanent supportive housing.
- An increase of $1 million will expand the scattered site sheltering program, providing housing at leased sites throughout the County.
- $5 million will be used to fund the new American River Parkway Homeless Reserve, providing shelter and/or housing for those living on the Parkway.
Does Sacramento County provide Behavioral Health services to people that live in the city jurisdictions? Yes, Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services is responsible for providing specialty mental health substance use and prevention services throughout the County, inclusive of all the cities. Whether homeless or not, Sacramento County is responsible for providing specialty mental health assessment and treatment services for those with severe needs and functional impairment.
Of the County's 30,000 behavioral health and substance abuse clients, the County served 9,862 people in the City of Sacramento in 2021/22. Of those 9,862 City of Sacramento clients, the County served 1,281 people who were experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless.
How many shelter beds are available for people that are living unsheltered? There are approximately 2,600 emergency shelter beds throughout Sacramento County, serving individuals, families, and transition age youth. Most are available year-round; some are seasonally opened during inclement weather. The County currently funds about 1,300 of these beds, with another 250 set to open within the next six months.
Additionally, the County has 13 encampment team members and 17 homeless navigators, as well as a behavioral health access clinician who offers "office hours" at all shelters in the County, including those in cities.
Is the County working on increasing the number of affordable housing units? Yes. The County is in the process of redesigning planning and building processes to remove hurdles and reduce the cost of developing affordable and workforce housing. In fact, there are approximately 600 units in District 2 alone that are either in construction or in the planning phase. Working with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), the agency that administers the County's housing funds, the County will continue to identify opportunities for public housing and private investment. We are hopeful to announce additional permanent supportive housing sites early next year. What is Sacramento County's long-term plan to address homelessness? In June of 2022, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a collaborative Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) that was created in partnership with the Continuum of Care, Sacramento Steps Forward and the City of Sacramento. The plan details the current state of homelessness in Sacramento County, lays out the current system gaps in shelter and housing resources to meet the needs of population and establishes strategies in six key areas:
- Build and scale a Coordinated Access System (CAS) for people experiencing homelessness to better access services in a timely manner
- Ensure emergency shelter and interim housing is focused on re-housing
- Increase permanent housing opportunities
- Expand prevention and diversion programs to keep people from becoming homeless
- Invest in community capacity building and training for service providers
- Ensure adequate behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use disorder services
GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION INFORMATION
Tuesday, November 8, is the Gubernatorial Election, and all registered voters should have received the Sacramento County Voter Information Guide (CVIG) and ballot. Voters who have opted out of receiving a CVIG in the mail can view their guide online through the Voter Lookup Tool on the website. To access the California State Voter Information Guide, visit the Secretary of State’s website.
For those voters or soon-to-be voters who need to register or update their registration file, you can still make changes by visiting the Election Office in person, or visit one of the Vote Centers.
Commitment to Transparency
The Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections is committed to running a fair, honest, and transparent election process. Once staff begin the ballot tabulation process (running the ballots through the “counting machines”), watch a 24/7 live stream of the tabulation process on our website.
Voters have a number of ways they vote, and you can choose how, when and where you want to vote.
- By Mail: All registered voters received a ballot in the mail. Place the voted ballot inside the envelope provided, sign the envelope and return – your postage is paid!
- Vote Center: With the passage of the California Voter’s Choice Act, traditional polling places were replaced with Vote Centers that are open for up to 11 days, including Election Day. This means voters can choose when, where and how they want to vote – at ANY Vote Center in the County. Avoid the lines, vote early.
- Eighteen Vote Centers open now.
- An additional 69 Vote Centers open for four days beginning Nov. 5, 2022.
- Eligible residents can also register to vote, update their registration and cast their ballot at a Vote Center, even on the day of the election.
- At the Vote Center you can drop off your completed ballot OR vote in person. There is even weekend voting.
- Drop Boxes: Voted and signed ballots may be placed in any of the 60 secure Drop Box locations throughout Sacramento County.
- When using a drop box, ensure that is an official, secure box provided by your County Election’s Office. All official Sacramento County dropboxes are pink and have the Sacramento County wave logo on them.
Election Results
The first release of results will happen after 8 pm on Election night. Ballots may take several weeks to process due to the increased popularity of returning Vote by Mail ballots and the trend of waiting to return them until Election Day. Want election results to be final sooner? Vote early!
A complete list of Vote Center and Dropbox locations can be found online. To register to vote, visit the California Online Voter Registration website. For more election and voter information, visit the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections website.
COME TO THE ANIMAL CARE FAIRE!
The community is invited to attend the Roy C. Marcum Animal Care Faire at Sacramento County Bradshaw Animal Shelter on Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 11 am - 3 pm. The free-admission event is a community celebration of animal rescue and welfare in honor of fallen Animal Control Officer Roy C. Marcum. Children of all ages, as well as dogs on a leash, are welcome.
The shelter’s dog park will be renamed the “Roy Marcum Bark Park” during a dedication ceremony at 11 am led by Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli. Other festivities for the day include a marketplace of more than 50 local vendors, police K9 demonstrations, food trucks, adoptable pets from Bradshaw Animal Shelter and local rescues, and a raffle.
“Ten years ago, the Marcum family lost a husband and father and Sacramento County lost an exemplary officer and member of our community,” said Annette Bedsworth, Director of Bradshaw Animal Shelter. “This event will honor his memory in the way Officer Marcum would have wanted: by bringing people together to share their love of companion animals.”
Animal Control Officer Roy C. Marcum was killed in the line of duty on November 28, 2012. He served the Sacramento community as an animal control officer for 14 years.
10TH ANNUAL MLK ESSAY CONTEST
The 10th Annual MLK Essay Contest is underway! This year students will be asked to incorporate a quote from Dr. King and describe in writing how they can get involved, take a stand, support Dr. King’s mission and vision for equality, and inspire a more equitable, inclusive, and peaceful society. The essay contest is open to middle and high school students who live in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, or Yolo County. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in the high school and middle school divisions.
Submission deadline is Friday, December 16, 2022, by 5pm!
See the MLK Essay Contest webpage for details and rules.
The chosen winners will win prizes ranging from $100-$500 depending on their age and place.
Essays must be submitted via email by the due date in PDF format to mlkessaycontestsac@gmail.com.
SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
The Veterans Services Office in Sacramento County’s Department of Human Assistance is responsible for providing benefit entitlement determinations, claim development, claim filing, advocacy, and case management services to veterans living in our area.
Assistance from the DHA Veterans Services Office includes:
- Service-Connected Disability Compensation Benefits
- Non Service-Connected Disability Pension Benefits
- Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Benefits
- Death Pension Benefits
- Aid & Attendance Entitlement
- VA Medical Care Eligibility & Access
- Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
- California College Fee Waiver Program
- VA Life Insurance
- State Veterans Homes
- Requests for Military Records
- Discharge Upgrade Information
- Burial Benefits
Veterans can seek assistance via telephone (916-874-6811) or email to DHA-VET@saccounty.net. For more information, please go online to the Veteran Services website.
For those who served our nation, THANK YOU! Please remember, Sacramento County’s Veterans Services Office is ready to help you get the benefits you deserve and need.
WALL OF HONOR CEREMONY
On Saturday, November 5, at 10am, the Carmichael Recreation and Park District will sponsor a special ceremony recognizing local heroes listed on the Wall of Honor at Patriots Park.
Located at 6827 Palm Avenue, Patriots Park and its Wall of Honor is a special place to reflect upon the special meaning of sacrifice made by those who served us wearing different uniforms. The Wall of Honor currently has fifteen inductees who represent the US Armed Forces, California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento Metro Fire District. Each honoree has a connection to the area, and the memorial provides a source of pride and remembrance for their families, loved ones, and friends.
I hope you will be able to join us for this solemn occasion.
GET EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS
As we prepare to enter storm season, we encourage you to be ready for a disaster by registering to receive notifications from the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services. Please go to the Sacramento Region Emergency Notification System and register now SAC Region Citizen Alert - Sign up (everbridge.net) so public safety officials can contact you via telephone call, text, or email if a disaster strikes.
Our regional mass notification system is a critical link for you to immediately learn of required actions like forced evacuations, shelter in place orders and road closures. The unique feature of Sacramento County’s system is the ability to handle more than one contact method for residents including cell phones, alternate numbers, text, email and even landlines. You choose the best notification method for you or choose them all. You can also register multiple locations, such as your work address, your parent’s address, or your children’s school, in order to get alerts about the places that mean the most to you.
GET THE FLU SHOT....NOT THE FLU!
Get vaccinated to protect you and your family. An annual flu shot is recommended for everyone six months of age and older who do not have contraindications to the vaccine. It takes two weeks for the body to build up protection after getting the vaccine so get vaccinated early, preferably by the end of October. The flu vaccine is especially encouraged this year.
Where to get the flu vaccine:
ROUND 4 OF THE MICROBUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN
Sacramento County is launching the fourth round of grant funding for microbusiness owners who may have missed an opportunity to apply for a $2,500 grant in a previous round. Applications for the Sacramento County Microbusiness Grant Program will be accepted until December 20, 2022.
The Grant Program is funded by the State of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate and administered by Sacramento County to assist microbusinesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Microbusinesses can receive grants of $2,500 that do not need to be repaid. To qualify, microbusiness must receive less than $50,000 in gross revenue annually and has fewer than five full-time employees. An eligible business must also have been in operation by the end of 2019.
Additional information on the Grant Program’s complete eligibility requirements, application, frequently asked questions, and assistance is available on the Sac4Micro website.
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