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South Lake Tahoe approves winter ‘shelter pass’ motel voucher program funded by $80,000 HAP grant
Summary
Council approved a short‑term motel voucher program and a $80,000 HAP grant to fund winter shelter vouchers through April 30, 2026, plus a $15,000 city contingency for deposits/insurance. City intake and Tahoe Coalition casework will be combined to place people quickly.
The South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously approved a winter “shelter pass” motel voucher program on Jan. 21, 2026, accepting $80,000 from the El Dorado County Continuum of Care (HAP program) and authorizing a $15,000 contribution from city reserves to support deposits and risk mitigation.
Housing manager Jessica Wackenhut Lamelli outlined the plan: city staff will provide initial intake and issue motel vouchers; the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will perform full intake, enter clients into the Homeless Management Information System and deliver case management and housing plans. TCH will also operate four shelter beds for high‑need clients during the winter season.
Lamelli said the grant funding will run through April 30, 2026; unused funds will be returned to the Continuum of Care for reallocation. Council and community partners including Barton Health and local survivor services supported the initiative as a short‑term intervention to keep vulnerable residents safe during cold months.
Barton Health spokesman Chris Proctor said the program will help clinicians and emergency staff who sometimes must delay discharges when patients have no safe shelter to go to. “An opportunity like this…puts a practical solution in place,” Proctor said, adding it reduces strain on hospital operations and improves discharge planning.
Council asked staff to provide utilization metrics and to return to council when funds are exhausted or at the program end so results and costs can be reviewed.
What happened: Council adopted program guidelines, authorized staff to accept the HAP grant through El Dorado County and approved the subrecipient agreement with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless.
Next steps: Staff will implement the intake and voucher process, coordinate weekly inspections as needed and provide a utilization report to council following the funding period or earlier if funds run out.
