Homeless Information and Referrals

Homelessness in Sacramento County, including the City of Folsom, has been increasing in recent years, with visible signs of its impact in the community. The City is committed to working with regional and local partners to offer compassionate and sustainable help to those in need, while preserving the quality of life in Folsom. 

What is the City doing?

The City of Folsom has implemented a multi-pronged approach and is working in partnership with other jurisdictions in the region to discourage and end homelessness throughout the city. Thoughtful and inclusive effort has been put into coordinating outreach and services to address homelessness in Folsom, including cooperative efforts with business, faith-based, and non-profit communities.  

Is it illegal to be homeless?

No. Homelessness is not illegal. People who are homeless are welcome to use public services and visit public facilities. However, certain conducts and activities are illegal regardless of who is involved such as using or selling illegal drugs; assaulting or injuring another person; obstructing the public rights-of-way; making threats; or damaging public or private property. The City of Folsom provides public services (including law enforcement services) to all citizens without regard to a person’s homeless status or situation. 

How have laws recently changed?

A September 4, 2018 federal court decision (9th Circuit Court of Appeals) ruled that local governments may not enforce local ordinances prohibiting camping on public property, as well as related activities that are “universal and unavoidable consequences of being human” such as sitting, lying or sleeping, if the local jurisdiction does not have sufficient number of indoor shelters to accommodate all of the homeless persons in that jurisdiction.  In that situation, local governments are prohibited from citing or arresting anyone sleeping on public property. 

How is the City responding to the new laws?

The 9^th Circuit decision significantly limits the ability of cities (including Folsom) and counties to enforce their anti-camping ordinances.  However, and notwithstanding the court decision, the Folsom Police Department and the City’s Code Enforcement Officers continue to exercise full enforcement authority with respect to illegal activities not constrained by the 9th Circuit decision (e.g., obstruction of public rights-of-way, aggressive panhandling,...etc.), while at the same time assisting the public to address the homeless issue with great care and sensitivity.   

How has homelessness affected Folsom?

Police calls for service regarding homelessness have risen significantly. Encampments often pose public health and safety risks and increased service needs due to lack of sanitation, fire danger, contamination of creeks and rivers, and increased frequency to remove trash, debris and hazardous materials from public areas. 

You can help

The City of Folsom is asking its residents and businesses to help be our eyes in the community. If you see something illegal or potentially harmful, please report it to the City. 

• Report homeless camps, trash or debris that might have come from a homeless camp, and abandoned shopping carts using SeeClickFix Folsom, the City’s online reporting system. Simply snap a photo and send your report via the City’s website or mobile app, and get an update once the problem is resolved. Visit www.folsom.ca.us/services/seeclickfix.asp to learn more and sign up. 

• If you see a homeless individual in need of assistance, you can provide them with contact information for the Folsom Homeless Outreach Navigator (Jefflyne Fitts, 916-215-3420 or jfitts@sacselfhelp.org).  The Navigator holds office hours at Powerhouse Ministries on Mondays and Thursdays.  HART of Folsom can be reached at info@hartoffolsom.org or 916-542-0615. 

• To report a crime in progress or suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.

To volunteer, contact Folsom HART on their website at https://hartoffolsom.org/volunteer-to-help.

How does the city help ensure affordable housing is available in Folsom? 

The City of Folsom has several programs to increase affordable housing opportunities for lower income households.

• The City of Folsom’s mandatory inclusionary housing program requires new residential development projects consisting of ten or more units to assist in the production of housing affordable to low income and very low income households.

• The City of Folsom’s Housing Trust Fund is funded by impact fees on nonresidential development for low-income housing. The housing trust fund encourages and assists with the financing of new affordable housing projects and supports administration of the City’s housing programs.

• The Seniors Helping Seniors Program provides assistance for minor home repairs and rehabilitation to extremely low-, very low-, and low-income seniors in Folsom.  This program is instrumental in helping preserve the number of affordable dwelling units in Folsom. 

Resources 

Folsom Homeless Outreach Navigator
Jefflyne Fitts
916-215-3420
jfitts@sacselfhelp.org 

HART of Folsom

HART of Folsom is a non-profit community-based volunteer organization assisting those experiencing homelessness in Folsom toward self-sufficiency and greater independence.

www.hartoffolsom.org

Sacramento Self Help Housing

Sacramento Self Help Housing assists persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find and retain stable and affordable housing.

The City of Folsom contracts with Sacramento Self Help Housing for the full-time services of a Navigator who is tasked with acting as a liaison between people experiencing homelessness, HART of Folsom, and City staff. 

www.SacSelfHelp.org  

Twin Lakes Food Bank
Twin Lakes Food Bank stands in the gap for families going through tough times by offering supplemental food and other resources.

twinlakesfoodbank.sustaininggood.com

Powerhouse Ministries Transformation Center
A two year recovery program for women and their children overcoming addiction, abuse, and poverty.
(916) 983-0658
www.phmfolsom.org

Folsom Police Department
Lieutenant Eric Heichlinger
916-461-6508
eheichlinger@folsom.ca.us  

City of Folsom Code Enforcement
Pete Piccardo, Code Enforcement Supervisor
916-461-6227
ppiccardo@folsom.ca.us  

SeeClickFix Folsom 
SeeClickFix Folsom improves the public’s ability to submit and track non-emergency service requests through an online and mobile platform. The place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns.

www.folsom.ca.us/services/seeclickfix.asp

Sacramento County Shelters

http://www.211sacramento.org/211/online-database/categories/housing/

Disclaimer
The City of Folsom does not provide direct services to persons experiencing homelessness. If you are in need of assistance, please call 2-1-1 Sacramento or visit the 211 website for referrals to appropriate services.