TRUCKEE, Calif.— Local leaders, community members, and service providers gathered on Thursday, April 3, for a workshop aimed at refining the Draft Tahoe Truckee Regional Homelessness Action Plan—a five-year strategy developed to address and ultimately end homelessness across the region.

The workshop, hosted by the Town of Truckee, marked the culmination of 18 months of collaborative work among 11 regional partners, including nonprofits, counties, and special districts. The event featured four interactive stations, each aligned with a core pillar of the draft plan, designed to encourage questions, gather feedback, and deepen public understanding of local homelessness issues.

The public’s input from the workshop will inform a presentation to the Truckee Town Council on April 22 at 5 p.m., where officials will consider adopting the plan and advancing its implementation phase.

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A Roadmap Rooted in Collaboration

The Tahoe Truckee Regional Homelessness Action Plan was developed by the Tahoe Truckee Homeless Advisory Committee, which worked throughout 2023 and 2024 to establish a shared vision for coordinated homelessness solutions. The plan outlines a data-driven, equity-centered, and compassionate approach—one that emphasizes regional collaboration, stable housing, and meaningful support systems.

“We are looking for more community input to help address this challenge. This is why the town is sponsoring this event, and it’s why I’m happy to see that you are giving your time here tonight,” Mayor Zabriskie said. 

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At the April 3 event, Facilitator Alison Schwedner of Agnew Beck framed the evening’s objectives:

• Deepen understanding of the draft plan
  
• Gather public input on proposed solutions
  
• Integrate feedback into the upcoming staff report for council review
  

Those who could not attend will have the opportunity to participate through a forthcoming town survey, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are captured.

Workshop Stations: Exploring the Four Pillars

1. Crisis Stabilization and Navigation Services

The first station focused on interim housing and navigation services—a model designed to offer temporary shelter, connect individuals to services, and help them quickly exit homelessness.

“This is as critical as building an ER or triage center,” one facilitator explained.

Questions posed to attendees included:

• How familiar are you with the navigation center model?
  
• What would make this model successful in Truckee or the surrounding region?
  
• What characteristics should be prioritized in selecting a future site—proximity to transportation, walkability, or access to services?
  

Data from North Tahoe-Truckee Homeless Services revealed the region provided:

• 2,587 meals, 256 showers, and case management to 114 individuals through its day respite center
  
• Street outreach to 43 individuals, with referrals to mental and physical health services
  
• A temporary 14-bed shelter operated 56 nights in 2023–2024, but no beds are currently available for 2024–2025—replaced by a limited hotel voucher program.
  

2. Stable and Supportive Housing

This station explored Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and the importance of long-term solutions for individuals with complex needs.

Attendees were asked:

• How do you differentiate supportive housing from traditional affordable housing?
  
• What services should be included for chronically homeless individuals?
  
• What types of PSH projects are needed locally?
  

The Pacific Crest Commons project, slated to open by spring 2026, will offer 10 supportive housing units within a 55-unit affordable apartment complex. Brown Bear Studios currently provides the only other PSH option, with 14 units.

Community members also questioned how to generate local funding for wraparound services and protect housing integrity under the “housing first” model.

3. Partnerships and Sustainable Funding

This station addressed how to strengthen partnerships, raise local awareness, and build sustainable funding for homelessness initiatives.

Key questions included:

• How can the community improve partnerships to support unhoused residents?
  
• What ideas do you have for increasing local funding?
  
• How do we shift public perception and reduce stigma?
  

Recent Sierra Sun survey data highlighted a growing familiarity with homelessness:

• Personal experience nearly doubled (from 3.6% in 2023 to 8.8% in 2025)
  
• Fewer people reported having no connection to homelessness (down from 53% to 45%)
  

4. Data and Understanding

This final station gave residents the chance to ask questions about how homelessness data is gathered, interpreted, and applied.

Data from 2021–2024 shows:

• An average of 117 households per year accessed local homeless services
  
• Of those, 39 achieved stable housing
  
• 78 households remain underserved
  
• 30 households annually experienced homelessness due to domestic violence
  

Experts warn that without immediate action, homelessness in the region could grow by 10% annually.

The initiative is backed by 11 regional partners, including:

• North Tahoe-Truckee Homeless Services
  
• AMI Housing
  
• Nevada County
  
• Placer County
  
• Sierra Community House
  
• Tahoe Forest Hospital District
  
• Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation
  
• Community Collaborative
  
• Town of Truckee
  
• Truckee Chamber of Commerce
  
• Truckee Library
  
• United for Action
  

Together, they’re committed to transitioning from temporary fixes to long-term solutions rooted in housing and human dignity.

Seana Doherty, a planner with Agnew Beck closely involved in the effort, reflected on the milestone: “For the first time, we have a collective roadmap for where we want to go in the future.”

The plan, she explained, represents two decades of grassroots work brought into a strategic focus.

Community members are encouraged to remain engaged as the Truckee Town Council prepares to review and potentially adopt the final plan on April 22.

For more information or to read the draft in full, visit the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation website.