EnvironmentHomeless advocates say cities, counties should distribute tools to prevent fires in encampmentsJuly 15, 2024 | Manola SecairaLast month, a fire originating from a Rancho Cordova encampment burned nearly 600 acres. Advocates say unhoused people should be equipped with tools like fire extinguishers to help stop them. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Sacramento RegionSacramento County cooling centers offer respite from heat waveJuly 2, 2024 | Kristin LamA Sacramento County cooling center near the Railyards reached 84% capacity on its first day open this week.
Housing and HomelessnessSupreme Court gives cities in California and beyond more power to crack down on homeless campsJune 28, 2024Cities no longer are prohibited from punishing homeless people for camping if they have nowhere else to go.
Housing and HomelessnessMobile shower program offers hope, dignity for Sacramento’s unhoused communityJune 27, 2024 | Chris NicholsSeven days a week, Air Force veteran Mark Lytal operates a free mobile shower program for Sacramento’s unhoused community. It provides showers, meals, donated clothes and survival gear. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Housing and HomelessnessSacramento County’s unhoused population drops 29%, bucking recent trendsJune 5, 2024 | Chris NicholsThe 2024 Point In Time Count survey counted nearly 6,600 unhoused people countywide. That’s down from the nearly 9,300 counted two years ago, when the region’s unhoused population spiked 67%.
Housing and Homelessness‘The first step is addressing their health needs’: Sacramento group hosts Black hygiene driveJune 4, 2024 | Chris NicholsThe drive is collecting essential oils and other skin and hair care products tailored to Black residents and donating them to local homeless shelters.
Housing and HomelessnessCourting landlords with vouchers: guaranteed incentives for willingness to rent to homelessMay 31, 2024Several Sacramento housing organizations are doing outreach to find landlords who will accept a voucher program assisting homeless and low-income families secure housing in the private rental market.
Housing and HomelessnessPlans change on Newsom’s tiny home promiseMay 23, 2024 | Kate WolffeLast year, Newsom said Sacramento would get 350 tiny homes in a matter of months. The city will likely get about half of what was promised, with a new tiny home village set to open in the fall. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentWhat drives California’s budget decisions? A lot of politics, not as much dataMay 21, 2024State lawmakers often don’t know how well a program is working before deciding whether to cut or increase spending. Instead, they hear from advocates, interest groups and sometimes the public. Key budget hearings ramp up this week.
Housing and HomelessnessAdvocates push back against Sacramento’s plans to close self-governed homeless campMay 15, 2024 | Chris NicholsResidents and supporters marched to City Hall on Wednesday, demanding that the city drop its plans to evict people from the self-governed homeless encampment.