The City’s Department of Community Response announced on Mar. 24 that it will soon launch a new motel-based shelter program for families with minor children. The Emergency Shelter Vouchers for Families (ESV) program is scheduled to begin in June, replacing the current City Motel Program (CMP).
The change aims to address the specific needs of unsheltered families and help them move toward stable housing. The CMP was first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since served various populations, including both families and adults.
Brian Pedro, director of the Department of Community Response, said, “The City Motel Program has played a critical in role sheltering people experiencing homelessness since 2020. We plan to use the lessons learned over the past several years to better support a specific population with high needs and vulnerability – families with young children – and help them take the next steps toward stabilization and long-term housing.”
All families with minor children currently enrolled in CMP will be offered vouchers for the new ESV program, while other participants will be given placement options at city shelters. The department recently held four town hall meetings to inform participants about these changes.
According to city officials, efforts have been underway since 2024 to restructure CMP by focusing services more narrowly on vulnerable groups, improving service delivery, and reducing costs. Recommendations from a 2025 City Auditor’s Office evaluation are being incorporated into ESV’s design. These include earlier case management interventions and clearer objectives as an emergency shelter focused on rapid stabilization and rehousing for families.
Like its predecessor, ESV will provide immediate shelter inventory for about 200 families. Eligible unsheltered families can receive a motel voucher valued at $55 per night for an initial stay of up to 28 days at participating motels across Sacramento; renewals may extend stays up to six months if participants actively engage in their re-housing plans.
Pedro said that expanding client choice among motels while lowering overall operating costs is especially important as the city faces a $66 million structural deficit. In addition to launching ESV, Sacramento continues operating its Outreach and Engagement Center offering immediate family shelter.
