Madera County approves $524K for new homeless outreach project with CAPMC

The Madera County Board of Supervisors held a significant meeting on May 29, 2025, focusing on a new initiative aimed at addressing homelessness in the region. A key agenda item was the approval of a $524,000 agreement with the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC) to implement a street outreach project that will run through 2028.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the specifics of the outreach efforts and how they would manifest in the community. Supervisors sought clarification on the operational details, including how many outreach workers would be deployed and the methods they would use to engage with unsheltered individuals. Jessica Leon from county administration confirmed that CAPMC staff would actively patrol areas known to have homeless populations, such as sloughs and rivers, but acknowledged the need for more detailed information on their outreach strategies.

The funding for this initiative is fully sourced from state grants, which has prompted some supervisors to express the importance of transparency and accountability in how these funds are utilized. There is a strong desire among board members to see tangible results from this program, especially given past initiatives that have not met expectations.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the formation of a new homeless task force, which will include various stakeholders such as law enforcement, social services, and mental health professionals. This task force aims to provide a coordinated response to homelessness, with a target launch date of August 1, 2025. Supervisors emphasized the importance of collaboration among departments to effectively address the complex issues surrounding homelessness.

The board's discussions reflect a growing urgency to tackle homelessness in Madera County, with a focus on creating a more integrated approach that could lead to meaningful change in the community. As the initiative progresses, county officials are expected to provide updates on its implementation and outcomes, reinforcing their commitment to addressing this critical issue.