Supervisor Gore's Monthly Newsletter

November 2023

WATCH (26 min): Homelessness in Placer County Podcast

Supervisor Bonnie Gore speaks with Dr. Rob Oldham, Director of Placer County's Health and Human Services Department. Topics covered include how residents become homeless, what is done to help them get off the streets, and what else could be needed in the future.

The Homelessness in Placer County Podcast is
also available on Soundcloud and Spotify

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

There is a lot to be thankful for during this season. Because of the wonderful work of our law enforcement, Health and Human Services (HHS) staff, mobile crisis teams and Probation Department, more homeless residents now have a roof over their head and services they need to get back on their feet.

The county has been hard at work over the last few years, not only addressing the issue but being recognized on a national level for our innovative and effective programs. Since 2014, Placer County HHS has earned more than 50 awards from various organizations, including the National Association of Counties, California State Association of Counties and the California Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

One was the CSAC Challenge Award, many of whom have recognized our successful Whole Person Care pilot program aimed at helping high-risk homeless individuals. At the conclusion of the pilot, more than 200 residents had been housed and Placer County consistently actually saved money by reducing participants’ use of expensive emergency services – savings we used to further expand permanent housing for formerly chronically homeless individuals, many of whom have a serious mental illness. The statewide Whole Person Care program laid the groundwork for the Enhanced Care Management part of CalAIM, a state initiative to innovate the Medicaid program.

Placer County HHS, in collaboration with the city of Roseville, also received a Challenge Award for our Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program efficiently provided more than $10 million in cash assistance to people facing financial hardship due to the pandemic, helping them cover rent and utilities. Additionally, HHS has been honored with awards for its behavioral health programs, including one that focuses on reducing hospitalizations and emergency services usage among individuals with mental health and substance use disorders who are at a higher risk of homelessness.

Our county continues to seek out new and innovative solutions to address homelessness. In February, we opened a low-barrier, mobile temporary shelter for homeless residents in North Auburn. The shelter has 50 beds and has consistently been near full capacity.

The Lotus Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Roseville opened to support those who need help during a mental health crisis, including our homeless residents. This center allows for a 23-hour stay so they can get the time, space and resources to process their issue instead of going to a local emergency room.

By the end of this year, the Placer County mobile crisis team will be operating 24/7. Each mobile crisis triage response team includes a master’s level mental health clinician, a psychiatric nurse and/or a peer advocate. Services may include crisis intervention and assessment, nursing and triage referrals for needed services, or linkage to ongoing mental health treatment. They travel to personal residences, parks, schools and hospitals. We want to ensure that if someone needs support, there is someone ready to help.

Although there has been amazing success in some areas, there are still many challenges we face and gaps in our ability to serve our homeless population, specifically in south Placer. In North Auburn, we’ve seen a stable percentage of our homeless population find shelter. However, over the last decade, our unsheltered population has increased by more than 25 percent in the Roseville area and that trend is projected to continue if we do not address the issue with other innovative and effective programs.

I’m also thankful to you, our residents, for taking the time to learn about the homeless issue and how we’re addressing it in our community. I know you want to see results. Placer County has an excellent track record of real results in the programs we’ve implemented so far.

There is always more to learn, and I encourage you to visit my county webpage to listen to our “Homelessness in Placer County” podcast and read the other guest editorials we’ve published. On that page, you will also find information about our “High-Need” Holiday Drive that we’re hosting at our west Roseville office on Dec. 6. Help us collect the items that are needed most by our local homeless shelters.

I hope you have a wonderful month and look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,
Bonnie

Supervisor Bonnie Gore
Placer County, District 1

Homelessness planning effort transitions to Continuum of Care

In an effort to ensure sustainability, the county’s regional homelessness planning effort is transitioning to a new structure under the Continuum of Care, a local group responsible for the distribution of much state and federal funding to help those struggling with homelessness. This will keep lines of communication open between the county, local cities and towns. Learn more about homeless solutions the regional effort has explored.

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Other News, Notices and Updates

Questions or Comments?
Email District 1 Chief of Staff, Landon Wolf at: LWolf@Placer.CA.Gov

www.placer.ca.gov