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Elk Grove moves to neutral on SB 802 and backs county governance option for homelessness
Summary
After staff briefings and council discussion, Elk Grove directed staff to take a neutral position on SB 802 if city funding protections are preserved and to support the county's recommended reconstitution of the Continuum of Care for regional homelessness coordination.
The Elk Grove City Council on Jan. 28 instructed staff to move to a neutral position on SB 802 if amendments protecting local funding and decision-making are secured, and to support the County of Sacramento's recommended option to reconstitute the Continuum of Care (COC) governance.
City staff summarized the complexity: SB 802 would create a joint-powers-style Sacramento Area Housing and Homelessness Agency (SAHA) to fold several regional homelessness functions into a single entity and would change governance and funding flows. Staff said edits released earlier this week removed the most significant city concerns, including language that would have redirected local affordable-housing funds into a regional pot.
"The key elements of SB 802 are the creation of a Joint Powers Authority that would change the Housing Redevelopment Agency... into the Sacramento Area Housing and Homelessness Agency," staff said, adding that Elk Grove would receive two seats on the proposed board under the bill as drafted (Jason Behrman, city manager).
Council members and staff discussed remaining unknowns, including operational funding, staff time commitments from smaller cities and the legality of compelling jurisdictions to join a JPA. The city attorney observed there is "a very serious question" whether the Legislature can compel local agencies to enter a JPA; any legal challenge would ultimately be decided by the courts.
Staff recommended, and the council supported, a motion to: (1) authorize staff to move to a neutral position on SB 802 contingent on amendments addressing local funding concerns; and (2) support the county's preferred option to reconstitute the COC board or pursue an alternative that retains local priorities and oversight. The motion passed on voice vote.
Council members emphasized continuing dialogue with the senator's office and county leadership while protecting locally collected funds (including Measure E revenues) and local land-use authority. The council also noted the county's proposed model would keep the COC advisory structure while creating clearer elected-official engagement.
Staff said they will continue negotiations with the senator's office and county partners and return to council if substantive bill language changes require a new formal position.
