West Sacramento outlines plan to consolidate emergency motel shelters, acquire three replacement sites

City staff described a plan to consolidate West Sacramento’s motel-based emergency housing program by transferring occupants from two interim sites to three recently acquired motels, expanding on-site services and continuing case management while rehabilitations proceed.

The update reported that the city acquired the former Flamingo Motel in May 2023 (a 21-unit property that serves about 30 people on average) and later purchased two additional motels—the Pickwick (19 units) and El Tejon (23 units)—in August of the prior year and began rehabilitation work. Staff said they expect that rehab to be completed by May, after which placements and transfers from the Roadway Inn and Flamingo would begin. The city is also negotiating to acquire the Westwood Motel, described as a 19-unit site, and expects to close escrow in May. The replacements are intended to consolidate services across fewer locations and create a more centralized operations hub.

Why it matters: the city has used motel acquisitions as a short-term homelessness response while planning longer-term…