$1M in federal funding brings bathrooms, showers to Florin Road homeless shelter

Sacramento County officials and local leaders celebrated the announcement of $1 million in federal funding for the Florin Road Safe Stay Community, a homeless shelter located at 8144 Florin Road. The funding, secured earlier this year, will be used to install permanent bathrooms and showers, replacing the current mobile units. It will also create permanent outdoor gathering spaces, potentially including trees and gardens, according to Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento.

The funding was included at Matsui’s request in the fiscal 2026 budget in January and became law on April 30 as part of a congressional appropriations package. The money was awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Matsui emphasized that clean, reliable restrooms are a matter of basic dignity and essential for maintaining health. She also noted that outdoor spaces foster trust, which is crucial for encouraging residents to engage with support services.

The Florin Road Safe Stay Community, which opened in 2023, provides 75 single housing units and 26 double units. The site, formerly a grocery store, includes air conditioning, laundry facilities, and offers meals, transportation, and pet-friendly housing. Residents also have access to on-site support for housing navigation, employment, and health and behavioral health services through Five Keys, a nonprofit that operates the facility in partnership with Sacramento County.

Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, who represents the Florin area, expressed gratitude for Matsui’s efforts in securing the funding. He highlighted the importance of such investments in improving the community. Kennedy has endorsed Matsui in her re-election campaign against progressive Democrat Mai Vang, underscoring the significance of the funding for local development.

The project reflects a broader effort to address housing insecurity and provide dignified living conditions for vulnerable neighbors. As the shelter continues to serve the community, the new facilities aim to support long-term stability and well-being. The initiative aligns with the call to care for the marginalized, as seen in Proverbs 31:8-9, which urges advocacy for the oppressed and the poor.

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