A new program is cleaning up encampments and creating opportunities for unhoused residents

Two members of the Clean and Safe Team at work in the River District

Sacramento (Mar. 24, 2022) - The River District is a little cleaner thanks to the hard work of six people who had been experiencing homelessness in the area. Working with The River District and the City of Sacramento, this Clean and Safe team is now improving the community by picking up trash and debris from homeless encampments.

The Clean and Safe Team pilot program is a collaboration between the River District PBID and the City’s Department of Community Response. Since June of last year the pilot project has removed approximately 150 tons of trash and debris from some of the most entrenched encampments in the City. 29th Street Capital, a developer active in the River District, also put funding towards the pilot.

“The goal of this program is to create a pilot that we can replicate throughout our city with our business districts and our community based organizations,” said Brigette Dean, Director of the Department of Community Response.

While making a noticeable impact by cleaning up the streets, the Clean and Safe program is also giving job skills and hope to people who are working to improve their lives. The employees report that the job has given them purpose, job skills and helped in their recovery from homelessness. The presentation at council also noted that two of the participants are no longer in a shelter and both live independently in affordable housing.

“It’s great and it shows what we can do with will, the right organization, and the right kind of partnership,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg after the presentation at council. “This is exactly what we want to do.”

See more about the River District Clean and Safe Team in the video below.