Commission hears consolidated‑plan update and new faith‑based safe‑harbor idea; steering committee to be formed for homeless strategic plan implementation

City staff updated the Social Services Commission on two related efforts: preparation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Plan and early steps to implement the recently adopted homeless strategic plan, including formation of a steering committee and outreach to faith‑based organizations considering safe‑harbor and safe‑parking projects.

Dana (staff) said the city hired a consultant, RDA, to help prepare the consolidated plan, which is required by HUD for entitlement jurisdictions. She said staff completed targeted focus groups with vulnerable populations and that RDA is drafting goals informed by that outreach. A draft consolidated plan will come to the commission and then open for a 30‑day public comment period before staff forwards recommendations to the council.

Commission co‑chairs reported they are forming a steering committee to oversee implementation of the homeless strategic plan. The steering committee is intended to include representatives of organizations that work directly with unsheltered and housing‑insecure populations; the chairs said they plan to send invitation letters and begin recruitment within two weeks.

Staff described outreach from faith‑based advocates exploring whether congregations could host safe‑harbor (extreme‑weather shelters), safe‑parking or other supervised temporary sites. The city proposed offering training for congregation volunteers — covering trauma‑informed care, boundary setting and referrals — and suggested mini internships with existing providers (Paul’s Place and respite services) so congregational volunteers can observe operations before committing.

Staff cautioned that congregations should secure legal review and be aware of insurance and operational implications before launching any site. They also noted the city would not automatically underwrite congregational sites, but staff offered to connect interested congregations with model programs (for example Mercy Coalition in West Sacramento) and with funding opportunities and technical assistance.

Commissioners asked whether such congregational sites would conflict with the city's camping ordinance. Staff said a permitting pathway exists and that the police chief had indicated willingness to coordinate on a permit process so that permitted congregation‑run sites could operate despite a general prohibition on camping on public or private property.

Commissioners and staff agreed the initiatives are early stage: the steering committee will recruit community partners and people with lived experience, RDA will produce a consolidated‑plan draft for public comment, and staff will continue outreach to congregations and providers. No formal votes were taken on these implementation steps at the meeting.