The Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a permit and negotiations to operate a 30-bed, emergency homeless shelter two miles east of Auburn in a county building known as The Barracks.
Local service groups Right Hand Auburn and Volunteers of America brought the proposal. The permit includes a community oversight group to address concerns like crime, drug use and fighting. But Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery expects fewer problems than there are now.
“I think we are borrowing worry in this case. Because the homeless are already there," says Montgovery. "I think by creating a facility where they can stay safely overnight and be monitored by the Right Rand Auburn folks and the Volunteers of America folks, I think we are going to see a safer environment.”
Montgomery says volunteers are paying for health and safety improvements to the building. Since the shelter is near a school, registered sex offenders wont be allowed. The permit can be canceled after three months or extended for a year.
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