Lodi and San Joaquin County - Lodi Access Center

Homeless

Jun 24

Lodi and San Joaquin County are moving forward with a comprehensive plan for the Lodi Access Center, a key initiative aimed at addressing homelessness through a partnership between the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, and the County Health Care Services Agency. The project is designed to provide a comprehensive range of services, including healthcare, behavioral support, and housing assistance, with the goal of not only getting people off the streets but also addressing the underlying causes of homelessness[1][3].

Key Elements of the Latest Plan

Facility and Services

The permanent Lodi Access Center is under construction on Sacramento Street, with completion targeted for early 2026[1][3].
The Center will feature:

Clinic services open to the public
Specialized support for Access Center clients
Integrated behavioral health services
A Mental Health Quiet Ward (16 beds), 1 Isolation Bed, a 4-bed Sobering Center, and 4 Mental Health Respite beds[1]
Main Street Transitional Housing project with 40 units for those transitioning to stability[1]
A secure, landscaped campus with a 15,000-square-foot multipurpose commissary, administration offices, and up to 130 individual shelters[3]

Services include housing navigation, job readiness, mental health and substance use treatment, case management, meals, mobile showers, laundry, storage, and pet amenities[5][6].

Operations and Management

Outreach Ministries International is the interim operator for the temporary shelter, which currently has capacity for 49 individuals nightly[3].
The City Council voted on June 18, 2025, to begin drafting a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a permanent operator for the Center, ensuring long-term support and stability[1].
The Salvation Army has been selected as the permanent operator for the future facility, replacing Inner City Action, which managed the temporary phase[2].

Funding and Sustainability

The project is primarily funded by San Joaquin County, with no direct impact on City resources for the new health services space[1].
Capital costs have been reduced from an initial $14.2 million to $10.9 million due to funding constraints, resulting in a scaled-back capacity (from the original 208 beds to an estimated 106–200 beds)[2].
Grants include $3 million from the Health Plan of San Joaquin and a $500,000 federal grant, but ongoing operational funding remains a challenge, with annual costs estimated at $350,000[2].
The City and County are actively seeking additional funding sources to ensure long-term sustainability, with transparency and accountability measures in place to track outcomes and expenditures[2].

Community and Oversight

The Lodi Improvement Committee and City Council regularly review the project’s progress, with public hearings and town hall meetings planned to gather community input[7].
Security and neighborhood safety are prioritized, with 24/7 monitoring and daily cleaning[3].
The Center is part of a broader homelessness strategy, including the Main Street Transitional Housing project and other supportive housing efforts[1].

Timeline and Next Steps

Temporary operations continue at the Sacramento Street site, managed by Outreach Ministries International, until the permanent facility opens[3].
Permanent facility construction is underway, with completion expected in early 2026[1][3].
Operator selection for the permanent Center is in progress, with an RFP being drafted as of June 2025[1].
Transitional housing at 22 S. Main St. will add 40 units by the end of 2025, further expanding the city’s capacity to help those working toward permanent stability[4].

Clinic Services

The Center will operate a public clinic providing general health care for both Access Center clients and the broader community[2].

Integrated Behavioral Health Services

Specialized support for mental health and substance use disorders will be available, including:

A 16-bed Mental Health Quiet Ward
1 Isolation Bed
A 4-bed Sobering Center
4 Mental Health Respite beds[1].

Housing Assistance

Housing navigation and support services will help individuals transition from homelessness to stable living situations[1].
The Main Street Transitional Housing project will offer 40 units as a stepping stone toward permanent housing[1].

Wraparound Support

Services will include job readiness programs, case management, and access to social services to address the root causes of homelessness[1].

Additional Amenities

The Center will provide meals, laundry facilities, mobile showers, secure storage, and pet accommodations to support daily living and stability[1].

Summary

The Lodi Access Center represents a significant and evolving partnership between Lodi and San Joaquin County, aiming to deliver comprehensive, wraparound services to individuals experiencing homelessness. While construction and planning are advancing, the long-term success of the Center will depend on securing sustainable funding and maintaining strong community engagement and oversight[1][3].