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Press Release

City of Lincoln Expresses Disappointment Over Lack of Transparency in Medical Respite Center Project


Lincoln, CA, August 22, 2024 — The City of Lincoln is deeply concerned by the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the recent acquisition of a property at 1660 3rd Street by The Gathering Inn. The intended use of the 50-room facility is a 60-bed medical respite center for individuals experiencing homelessness. City officials and staff were only made aware of the project after the close of escrow on August 14, 2024.

Mayor Dan Karleskint expressed the City’s concerns, stating, "The complete disregard for transparency and the failure to involve the City of Lincoln and its residents in discussions about this significantly impactful project is unacceptable."

The City of Lincoln has serious reservations about the proposed medical respite center for several reasons:

1. Proximity to Schools and Community Spaces: The facility is located within a quarter mile of Glen Edwards Middle School and First Street Elementary, and within a half mile of the Lincoln Community Center and Creekside Oaks Elementary.

2. Increase in Unhoused Individuals: With a capacity of up to 100 beds, there is a significant concern that the center could lead to an increase in unhoused individuals choosing to remain in Lincoln after their stay, placing additional strain on local resources and services.

3. Lack of Community Outreach: The City is deeply disappointed by the complete lack of outreach to the Lincoln community prior to the initiation of this project. Our residents deserve to be informed and have their voices heard on issues that directly affect their neighborhoods.

The City of Lincoln understands the importance of addressing homelessness within our city and region. With the support of dedicated local volunteers, non-profits, and the faith community, the City launched a Homeless Pilot Program in 2023, which successfully reduced the number of unhoused individuals in Lincoln from 47 to approximately 20. This progress demonstrates our commitment to addressing homelessness in a manner that is thoughtful, measured, and aligned with the needs and values of our community.

Moving forward, the City of Lincoln will be seeking additional discussions with The Gathering Inn, Placer County officials, and other relevant parties to address these concerns. The City is committed to ensuring that any development within our jurisdiction is conducted transparently and in the best interest of our community.

For further inquiries, please contact Erin Frye, public information officer, at (530) 709-5894 or erin.frye@lincolnca.gov.

 

Download the press release.

Fact Sheet
The Gathering Inn Medical Respite Center

  • City of Lincoln elected officials and staff were made aware of the recent acquisition of a property at 1660 3rd Street by The Gathering Inn on August 14, 2024.
  • The intended use of the 50-room facility (formerly Gladding Ridge) is a 60-bed medical respite center for individuals with a direct referral from a hospital.
  • According to the National Institute for Medical Respite Care, a medical respite program is acute and post-acute care for people experiencing homelessness who are too ill or frail to recover from an illness or injury on the streets or in a shelter, but who do not require hospital level care.
  • The City of Lincoln is deeply concerned by the total lack of transparency and communication surrounding the purchase by The Gathering Inn (TGI).
  • TGI purchased the space utilizing grant funding from the Community Care Expansion (CCE) program. The CCE website can be found here.
  • The CCE program was established by Assembly Bill (AB) 172. CCE is part of a broader, statewide effort to expand the state’s housing and care continuum, improve treatment outcomes, and prevent the cycle of homelessness.
  • The grant, awarded to TGI in May 2023, is $6,440,670 to create a medical respite project in Lincoln.
  • At no point was the City of Lincoln notified that an application was submitted, or that the grant had been awarded.
  • In addition, there is language in AB 172 making the project exempt from local control. The language is located in Chapter 20. Community Care Expansion Program. (see below)

 

  • The City is actively negotiating with TGI, Placer County officials, and other relevant parties to satisfy our concerns, including proximity to schools and community spaces, the potential increase of unhoused individuals in Lincoln, and the complete lack of community outreach.  
  • The City is committed to ensuring that any development within Lincoln is conducted transparently and in the best interest of our community.

Download the Fact Sheet.

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