Sacramento Opens $2.5 Million Safe Camping Site for Homeless Residents

The City of Sacramento inaugurated a new “safe camping” facility in the River District, designed to house up to 125 unhoused individuals. Construction cost $2.5 million, roughly $20,000 per bed, with an estimated annual operating expense of $1.2 million (about $9,600 per bed). Residents receive city‑provided tents on raised wooden platforms, a cot, storage bins and a lawn chair, along with shared showers, portable restrooms, 24‑hour security and access to case managers, behavioral‑health clinicians and housing‑navigation services. Mayor Kevin McCarty said the site is “better than being outside,” acknowledging it is not perfect but a step forward. City Manager Maraskeshia Smith called the campground a temporary measure while residents work toward permanent housing.

The opening follows an independent city audit that flagged $63.2 million spent on 14 homeless‑service programs during fiscal years 2024‑2025, noting the city lacks a consistent framework to evaluate cost‑effectiveness. Auditors recommended developing performance metrics and noted that many shelter models show no clear link between services provided and successful outcomes. The new site replaces the former Camp Resolution encampment, which was shut down in 2024 after being deemed a “failed experiment.” Since 2024, Sacramento has added more than 500 shelter beds and reported a 19 % drop in unsheltered homelessness in its 2026 Point‑in‑Time count.