City of South Lake Tahoe commits to stronger partnership with Tahoe Homeless Coalition

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council has reinforced its commitment to being a partner with the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH). As the council was approving a grant for the completion of rooms at the TCH's Bear's Den in South Lake Tahoe during its meeting Tuesday, the conservation moved to emergency shelters for those experiencing homelessness. The council members reinforced their commitment to fund winter emergency shelter services in the community.

At this time, TCH has a 14-bed emergency shelter in addition to its more permanent locations at two former motels they purchased, but it isn't available for those seeking an immediate drop-in place to sleep away from the elements.

The current shelter will be operating for five months with $66,000 in funding received from the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care. Those staying there also receive three meals a day, supportive services, and they don't have to leave each morning as the former seasonal warm room required.

Homelessness is a dangerous condition that frequently results in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. South Lake Tahoe’s harsh alpine winters can cause serious injury and illness for unsheltered people, including hypothermia, dehydration, frostbite, and respiratory illnesses, said the City in a news release on Wednesday.

In 2020, the City Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with TCH which established the partnership between the City and TCH in identifying solutions to prevent and reduce homelessness for South Lake Tahoe residents, especially those subpopulations considered highly vulnerable such as youth, families, the elderly, and people with disabilities or serious health conditions. This partnership aims to enhance and secure funding for emergency shelter services, demonstrating the city's dedication to the well-being of its residents.

The City has already committed $505,632 in grant funds to create permanent supportive housing. The City Council is now partnering with TCH to seek an additional award of $632,040 for a total of $1,137,672 committed to addressing the needs of the unsheltered in the community. Council members believe that a collaborative approach is essential to address the multifaceted challenges associated with homelessness. At the meeting, they said they'd assist the non-profit in finding ways to support an emergency warm room that could assist more people. The previous TCH warm room operated with volunteers in spaces secured for just the winter months.

Mayor Cody Bass expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "By joining forces with the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, we are taking a significant step towards building a more compassionate and supportive community. This partnership reflects our commitment to addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing immediate relief through enhanced emergency shelter services."