Elk Grove leaders settle on Survey Road site for permanent homeless shelter

Elk Grove city leaders decided Wednesday on where to place a permanent homeless shelter.

After a two-hour discussion, the council decided on a site on Survey Road near East Stockton Boulevard.

Ultimately, the plan is for the shelter to house 20 adults. The shelter will have five emergency beds and could house up to four families, with the goal of the shelter being transitional housing.

The other proposed locations were Dwight Road north of Laguna Boulevard and 9296 East Stockton Boulevard.

All of the proposed locations are currently empty grass lots. Elk Grove Vice Mayor Darren Suen said this chosen site was the best of the three options.

"We're going to do it in a compassionate way," he said.

The site has drawn mixed reactions from businesses in the area.

"I'm really sorry for them, and I really have empathy for them, but not when there's children around," said Nancy Smith, a bookkeeper at the nearby New Songs Music School.

The chosen lot is just a few steps from the music school's summer camp, and it also sits directly across from Flatland Brewing Company.

"If everything goes well, it's going to be a great project, but 100 feet away from a brewery just probably not a good location," brewery owner Andrew Mohsenzadagen said.

Mayor Suen said he understands the pushback, and that's why every person who lives in the shelter will need to be referred and given a background check, with zero drugs or alcohol allowed on site.

Back in January, Elk Grove residents were encouraged to share their input regarding the proposed locations.

The plan is to start construction by late 2027 or by 2028.