Tuolumne County staff outline progress, funding gaps on housing and homelessness projects

Tuolumne County staff told the Board of Supervisors they have made measurable progress on a set of housing and homelessness projects approved in late 2022, but warned state and federal funding cuts and near-term grant deadlines leave some planned sites at risk.

The presentation, delivered by Health and Human Services Agency Director Annie Hockett and Behavioral Health Director Tammy Mariscal, said operational programs include the county’s sanctioned camping pilot (Camp Justice), the navigation center (Rafferty Court), a small fleet of refurbished RVs for transitional housing and Parrott’s Ferry, a county‑owned supervised housing site purchased and opened in 2024. Other properties purchased with encampment‑resolution (ERF) dollars — Snell Street, Highway 108 and Columbia Way — remain in development. Hockett said Snell Street is close to construction completion and may be brought back to the board for formal approval to proceed; Highway 108 requires more work to bring it to permit readiness, and Columbia Way is being evaluated to confirm program design and funding options.

Why it matters: County leaders said the projects form a “continuum of care” intended to move people from street homelessness into stable housing, but cautioned that the state’s shifting funding priorities and the grant rules tied to ERF could force the county to return funds if projects don’t reach required milestones. Staff asked the board for clear direction about priorities and for time to work the remaining permitting, partnerships and financing questions.

What staff reported

- Camp Justice (sanctioned camping pilot): Approved as a one‑year…