How Our City Is Addressing Homelessness

There are an estimated 6,615 people experiencing homelessness in the Sacramento region. According to the 2024 point in time count, about 52 live in the City of Rancho Cordova, down from about 156 in the 2022 count.

We have both a unique strategy, as well as resources in place, to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community.

  1. We believe in a service-first approach, which means working with homeless individuals and families who are actively seeking help and support.
  2. We also believe in accountability, which means holding everyone accountable for their actions, building rapport, educating businesses and residents, and quickly responding to calls for service.

In addition, the city has programs in place, such as the Homeless Outreach Team and two Homeless Navigators, to connect homeless individuals with services and resources; Mather Veterans Village, permanent supportive and transitional housing for 150 homeless and disabled veterans and their families; and, a commitment of $1.6 million annually to address homelessness.

On April 7, 2025 the Homeless Outreach Team provided an update to the City Council. View the full presentation here.  

The Homeless Outreach Team

The Homeless Outreach Team or HOT builds relationships with homeless individuals and families to assist them in finding services, education and resources to help them become self-sufficient. The team also enforces violations of the law, such as illegal camping and aggressive panhandling.

The Homeless Outreach Team includes: 

  • Homeless Outreach Navigators who connect homeless individuals and families to the services, education and resources they need, including food and basic necessities, key documents, transportation, job opportunities, treatment, and both temporary shelter and permanent housing.
  • Code Enforcement Officers who help maintain a healthy and safe environment for all people within the city by eliminating specific hazards and dangers.
  • RCPD Officers who enforce violations of the law and facilitate the Chronic Offender Rehabilitation Effort.
  • A clean-up crew that cleans illegal camping sites and retrieves carts.   

Enhancements

In 2022 the City Council approved nearly $600,000 in enhancements to the Homeless Outreach Team to better serve homeless individuals and families, residents, and businesses in the city. The Homeless Outreach Team now:

  • Has a homeless outreach team coordinator, as well as a liaison and service coordinator, to increase response time and efficiency.
  • Has additional staff for cart and debris removal.
  • Increased surveillance/cameras near encampment areas.
  • Increased Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) technical assistance for businesses.
  • Increased drug and alcohol rehabilitation opportunities.
  • Increased hotel vouchers and food assistance.
  • Increased shelter and mental health services options through County partnerships with 2-1-1.

The City Council continues to explore additional long-term housing opportunities for homeless individuals.

Our Impact

The City of Rancho Cordova is dedicated to making Rancho Cordova the safest community it can be. We are committed to increasing public safety and addressing homelessness, as well as partnering with our community to keep it safe.
  • Between July 1, 2023 and March 27, 2025, the team housed 25 homeless individuals and families and provided over 866 services, such as basic necessities, transportation, documents, and treatment. The team worked with over 300 homeless individuals and families.
  • In 2021, we celebrated the completion of Mather Veterans Village, the first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans and their families in the Sacramento region. The first three phases provide 100 permanent supportive homes and 47 units of transitional housing, as well as important amenities for our veterans. In 2024 the city secured $1 million in federal funding for Phase 4, which will provide an additional 70 units of permanent supportive housing. Over its lifetime, Mather Veterans Village will provide a home for more than 50,000 homeless veterans.
  • The city has invested in affordable housing, including the Crossings at New Rancho, Sunrise Crossings at St. Anton and Crossings at New Woodberry.
  • The city continues to partner with local and regional organizations and efforts to increase the effectiveness of existing services for the homeless. For example, the city provides funding to the Rancho Cordova Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) to support its annual Winter Shelter for the homeless.
  • The city performs regular cleanup services in response to health and safety issues. In 2024, the city removed 179,000+ pounds of debris and retrieved 2500+ shopping carts.

How You Can Help

The city is asking its residents and businesses to help be our eyes in the community.

Report homeless camps, trash or debris that might have come from a homeless camp, as well as abandoned shopping carts, using Rancho Cordova Connect, the city’s online reporting system.

If you see a homeless individual in need of assistance, contact the following:
  • Homeless Outreach Team Officers: RCPDHOT@ranchocordovapd.com
  • Rancho Cordova Navigator and City's Neighborhood Services Team: 916.851.8770

To report panhandling, call the RCPD non-emergency number at 916.362.5115

To report a crime in progress or suspicious activity, call 911.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Rancho Cordova HART through its website at RanchoCordovaHART.org.