SACRAMENTO, Calif — A beloved shelter for the homeless in Sacramento is now planning to close.
Sacramento County officials said the building is simply not safe.
The county said the priority is to continue serving the families who are already in the program, so they're doing everything they can to find them new homes. No one will have to go back to being unhoused.
"It's very scary not knowing where you're going to sleep or when your next meal is going to come," said Sabrina, who lives at the shelter.
Sabrina is the mother of a two-year-old. She became homeless about two years ago after escaping domestic violence.
She's lived at the Bannon Street Emergency Family Shelter since December and describes it as a blessing.
Sacramento County plans to the close the building, which is run by Volunteers of America (VOA), by September 7.
"The building is old. Obviously, it was built in the 70s, and apparently, they used galvanized piping for the sewer and the water pipes which just corrode over time and can get into the water stream. I think there's some other issues with the building too with some electrical," said Janna Haynes, public information manager for Sacramento County Homeless Services and Housing.
Haynes said it would cost the city about $4 million just to fix the piping and try to bring the building to code, but it's not financially feasible. They've made the difficult decision to notify residents they will be relocated.
"Where we going to go next, basically, if we can find something in time," said a mother of four who did not want to be identified.
"Honestly, I got really nervous and scared that I was going to be sleeping in my car again, but they're really trying to help us get housed and to other facilities so I don't know too many people that would do that," added Sabrina.
The closing is a big hit to other families in need as well.
Several homeless people are living just across from the building and surrounding areas near Loaves and Fishes.
"There isn't a lot of space for families. Most of our sheltering is for single adults or for transitional age youth, so it's a really unfortunate loss to the overall sheltering system," Haynes said.
She said the county may look to restart the program in the coming months after the families are rehoused.
Sabrina said she's just grateful she and her son have been given a chance at a new beginning.
"I see us actually getting into a home and living a better life because of the VOA family shelter," Sabrina said.
The county is asking landlords in the area who may have facilities that are a good fit for the program to reach out to them or Volunteers of America. Anyone who needs help finding shelter can reach out to 211.
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