City of Sacramento, Sacramento Continuum of Care receive emergency homeless COVID19 funding

In a statement issued this morning by California's 9th District Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) it was announced that the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Continuum of Care (COC) have been received emergency funding to assist homeless people during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Yesterday the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council said the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento COC, which operates Sacramento Steps Forward, were awarded $2,245,840 and $997,067 respectively. The funds will be used to help protect and stop the spread of COVID-19 within the homeless population. 

“This emergency funding comes at a critical time when our most vulnerable communities are at the greatest risk of exposure to the virus,” Cooper said. “I cannot thank Governor Newsom enough for his guidance during this unprecedented time."

The Sacramento COC is led by a board that includes Sarah Bontrager, the City of Elk Grove's Housing and Public Services Manager and is chaired by attorney Matthew Keasling. Neither responded to an email request seeking comment on how the funds would be specifically used in Sacramento County including Elk Grove. 

According to a 2019 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report to Congress, the city and county of Sacramento rank number one among major cities in the U.S. with 1,132 homeless persons in families with children, of which more than 50 percent are unsheltered.

On March 17, Governor Newsom signed SB 89 which allocated $500 million to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and help protect the public. Included in this emergency legislation that was unanimously approved by the California State Legislature was funding to help protect California’s vulnerable homeless population during COVID-19 pandemic.

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