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Advocates urge more affordable units and shelter fixes; residents describe bed‑bug conditions at county shelter

Placer County Board of Supervisors · April 7, 2026

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Summary

At public comment the executive director of Stand Up Placer urged mandatory affordable units and a nexus study, citing domestic‑violence‑related homelessness. Shelter residents described persistent bed‑bug infestations, poor HVAC, and mattress problems and asked for tenting and temporary hotel placement during treatment.

Speakers during public comment urged the Placer County Board of Supervisors to take stronger steps on housing affordability and shelter conditions.

Gary McDonald, executive director of Stand Up Placer, told the board that domestic violence is a major driver of homelessness and urged the board to require developers to include affordable units in new projects rather than treating fees‑in‑lieu as a loophole. McDonald cited statewide figures for 2024 and said the county should fund a nexus study; he added that other cities are using construction innovations and zoning reforms to expand housing.

Two residents from the Mid Placer Shelter described ongoing bed‑bug problems and poor indoor conditions. Sherry Dallas said infestations have been persistent, that temperatures are high overnight and that frequent bites and poor sleep are causing health problems. Amanda Standridge said repeat sprays are ineffective and requested that the county tent the affected area and temporarily place shelter residents in hotels during treatment; she described respiratory and other health impacts she attributed to the shelter environment.

John Falk, a legislative advocate for the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, urged continued permitting streamlining for ADUs and tiny homes and cautioned against policies that would impose large developer fees that could stall housing production.

Board members and staff thanked commenters, acknowledged the concerns, and noted existing county processes: staff said shelter maintenance and health issues are under the relevant department review and that housing fee updates and nexus studies can be considered through policy work and fee programs. The board did not take policy action at the meeting but received the comments for follow up.