Questions remain about sudden closure of Stockton Shelter for the Homeless

Hundreds of unhoused people may be back on the streets soon following the announcement that the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless could shutter within days.

Stockton Shelter for the Homeless officials have remained tight-lipped about the situation and did not respond to The Record's requests for comment.

Over the weekend, shelter employees voiced concerns over a rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases at the facility. Those claims were put to rest Tuesday.

"That's definitely not true. There's no outbreak there at all," said Istvan Fazekas, a spokesperson for San Joaquin County Public Health Services. "We do regular testing out there all the time."

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine or brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

Tuberculosis has commonly been linked to homeless shelters, nail salons and other confined spaces with lots of people. In 2022, public health received 1,534 reports of positive TB tests and managed 33 new cases of active tuberculosis in San Joaquin County.

If an outbreak were to occur at the facility, the public would be notified, Fazekas said.

While more questions about the sudden closure remain, city officials are looking for ways to protect nearly 250 unhoused people who are threatened to be displaced. Stockton is in talks with nearby St. Mary's Dining Room and another organization to take over operations.

The city was informed on July 18 that the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless Board of Directors planned to close the shelter, Mayor Kevin Lincoln said.

"Upon receiving the news of the intended closure, the city immediately began reviewing actionable steps to address the situation," Lincoln said. "The safety and stability of residents at Stockton Shelter for the Homeless is of utmost importance to the city of Stockton. Ensuring a stable transition of operational services is non-negotiable."

Stockton declared a local emergency after announcement of the closure, described by city officials as a "precautionary measure" that will allow the city to allocate money, enter contracts with other service providers, and make immediate decisions related to public health and safety.

"Stockton Shelter for the Homeless leadership has indicated that, with financial assistance from the city, they will remain open past their announced closing date to support and assist with an orderly transition," city officials stated in a news release.

The shelter had numerous projects in the works, including a $5 million Navigation Center that was slated to open in July. The opening of the center — funded by the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Continuum of Care, and San Joaquin County — has been delayed, with no new estimate on when it may open.

The announcement comes just one week after Stockton and St. Mary's Dining Room leaders gathered at the Memorial Civic Auditorium to unveil site plans and renderings for a new low-barrier shelter. Totaled at $21 million, the Pathways Project is expected to increase the city's overall shelter capacity by 326 beds and provide 24/7 wraparound services.

But homelessness continues to be an issue plaguing the county. An April report released by University of the Pacific found that San Joaquin County officials spent between $131.8 million and $160.2 million on projects related to homelessness in 2021, as more than 2,300 people live on the streets countywide.

Stockton City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday to ratify the emergency declaration and discuss future plans for the facility.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton declares emergency as homeless shelter prepares to close