CA Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Mayor Johnson to Announce Steps to Help Homeless

Plan Will Help City Temporarily Relocate Homeless to Cal Expo

03/25/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson today to announce the state’s participation in a plan that will serve as a first step to addressing Sacramento’s homeless issue by helping the city temporarily relocate homeless people living in “Tent City” to Cal Expo.

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“Together with the local government and volunteers, we are taking a first step to ensure the people living in Tent City have a safe place to stay, with fresh water, healthy conditions and access to the services they need,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “And I am committed to working with Mayor Johnson to find a permanent solution for those living in Tent City.”

“With last night’s City Council vote, we have established a strategy to provide compassionate care and today we began to implement it,” said Mayor Johnson. “This afternoon, we will begin adding more beds here at Cal Expo and begin to end the unsafe and unsanitary conditions at tent city.”

Last week, the Governor and Mayor Johnson met to discuss the illegal encampment of about 125 people on the banks of the American River north of downtown Sacramento. Since that time, the Governor’s Administration has worked with the mayor and Cal Expo to facilitate an arrangement to house up to 50 people at the fairgrounds through the end of June when the city plans to have more long-term housing arrangements in place. Cal Expo currently houses up to 154 homeless people who arrive by bus in the evening from downtown and leave in the morning, which allows the homeless access to services provided by nonprofits and government agencies. The arrangement with Cal Expo was set to expire in March 31, but a three-month contract will extend it while also adding beds.

When the Governor met with President Obama in Washington, D.C. last Friday, he delivered a letter asking the federal government to expedite $2.37 million in economic stimulus funds for homeless assistance in Sacramento.

Source: California Governor