Lodi Committee on Homelessness - January 8, 2026
Lodi Committee on Homelessness
January 8, 2026 Meeting Agenda
📍 Lodi Community Room (In-Person) | 🕒 2:30 PM
📧 Contact: lcohca@gmail.com
Mission Statement
The Lodi Committee on Homelessness exists to bring people together to collaborate and advocate solutions to homelessness.
Meeting Agenda
| Item | Topic | Status |
|---|---|---|
| I | Welcome and Introductions | Routine |
| II | Notes from November Meeting | Approval |
| III | Service Provider & Subcommittee Reports | Discussion |
| IV | Update from City Staff | Presentation |
| V | Point-in-Time (PIT) Count | Informational |
| VII | 2025 Accomplishments / 2026 Goals | Strategic |
| VIII | Temporary Pet Fostering Project | Planning |
| IX | Action Items | Assignment |
| X | Non-Agenda Items | Open Forum |
| XI | Public Comment | Community Input |
| XII | Next Meeting: February 12, 2026 | Scheduled |
I. Welcome and Introductions
Standard opening with all committee members introducing themselves and reviewing the Lodi Committee on Homelessness mission statement.
II. November Meeting Notes
The committee will review and formally approve the official minutes from the November 13, 2025 meeting.
III. Service Provider & Subcommittee Reports
Comprehensive updates from the organizations and committees working directly to address homelessness in Lodi.
A. Service Providers
Lodi Police Department (LPD) Liaison Officer
December report status pending. Historical data shows proactive enforcement calls averaging 100-170 monthly, with additional community engagement and abatement postings. Key challenges include homeless individuals anticipating outreach schedules and relocating before contact, plus ongoing code enforcement coordination for public spaces.
Lodi Access Center (LAC)
December Report: Pending submission
Year-to-Date Performance (Jan-Nov 2025):
- 12,117 overnight services
- 24,731 day-use services
- 27,243 meals served
- 13,755 showers provided
- 1,169 transports for 428 clients
- 77 transitions to permanent housing
- 53 transitions to programs
- 50 employment placements
- $5.16 million estimated cost savings to community
Average Length of Stay: 16 days (vs. 68 days SJC average; 166 days national average)
Current Status: No open beds; capacity at or near maximum
Hope Harbor/Salvation Army
December Services:
- 2,425 walk-in dinners
- 197 showers/hygiene kits
- 454 articles of clothing distributed
- 224 laundry loads completed
- 28 individuals treated by Community Medical Center
Program Outcomes:
- 7 new alcohol/drug treatment clients
- 3 transported to ARC residential treatment
- 2 ARC graduates entered support programs
- 1 new full-time employment
- 1 moved to permanent housing
- 12 provided transportation assistance
Special Event: December 18 Christmas celebration with 100+ attendees, gifts, and recovery testimonies
Barrier Identified: Increasing number of elderly guests with limited income and complex care needs; limited placement options when shelter time limits expire
Lodi House
Shelter Program (4-6 months):
- 5 mothers, 11 children currently enrolled
- All guests employed 32+ hours/week
- All meeting savings requirements (85% income minimum)
- 21 counseling hours provided in December
Transitional Program (up to 2 years):
- 6 mothers, 12 children currently enrolled
- 4 vacant apartments (of 10 capacity)
- All guests employed 32+ hours/week
- 5 of 6 mothers pursuing further education
- 10 counseling hours provided in December
Employment Achievement: 11 mothers gained 35+ hours/week employment in December
Entry Barriers: Drug screening results, active domestic violence, employment requirement issues, no-shows to appointments
Adventist Health Lodi Memorial (AHLM) Housing Supports
December Referrals: 17 new referrals (123 total in 2025)
Current Caseloads: 47 individuals receiving services
Service Types:
- 4 in Housing Tenancy Services
- 43 in Housing Navigation Services
Community Engagement: Biweekly tabling at LAC generating 16 referrals since October 2025
New Program: Transitional Rent Service (effective January 1, 2026) provides 6 months of rent payment for eligible behavioral health clients
Referral Demographics: 65% male; 47% ages 40-59; 35% over 60; 41% in homeless shelters
Critical Barriers:
- All Housing Choice Voucher waitlists closed since program inception
- 29% of December referrals unreachable (winter phone access issues)
- Lack of affordable housing in county
Patient Successes: 6 began Housing Navigation, 2 received home goods, 1 applied for housing, 2 applied for SSI
Agape Love Community Meal Program
December Services:
- ~600 guests served
- 789 meals provided
- ~60 volunteers participated
- $1,200 monthly operating cost
Programs: Weekly Monday meal service plus emergency clothing assistance
Special Event: Christmas community meal served ~140 meals on-site and for delivery to LAC despite heavy rainfall
B. Subcommittee Reports
Communications and Public Relations
Facebook Growth: 411 followers with 2,795 views in December 2025 (49% increase from November)
December Posts: 17 posts highlighting: Second Step Living Program, Clothed in Dignity, Salvation Army, LAC updates, Gravity, Agape Love, and Lodi House Thrift Boutique
In Progress: Linda Opp coordinating with Mitch Daniel to establish LCOH Instagram account
Community Engagement & Workforce Development
Goal: Secure monetary commitments from churches and businesses enabling LAC to purchase needed items on demand
Key Insight: Steady financial support preferred over physical donations; food often oversupplied while toilet paper and specific necessities remain in demand
Workforce Development: Community Engagement subcommittee using documents from Johnny Coughran to engage prospective employers. Applicants vetted after program completion demonstrating maturity and life skills.
Business Interest: Multiple companies preparing to hire significant numbers in early 2026, including major hiring efforts projected for February
San Joaquin Continuum of Care (SJCOC) Meeting
⚠️ Critical Funding Crisis
County Board of Supervisors Estimate: $17-27 million deficit for shelter programs based on comprehensive 190-page report
Timeline: COC program subsidy competition could push additional families into homelessness beginning March 2026
LCOH Response: Hope Harbor planning to convert single beds into family units; discussion of utility assistance partnership with Salvation Army as prevention-focused approach
Lodi City Council Update
December 16 Special Meeting - Housing Goals:
Stretch Goal: Ensure every socio-economic demographic and family structure can secure quality housing within community
Specific Initiatives:
- Develop new housing aligned with Area Median Income (AMI)
- Create residential downtown opportunities
- Progress toward Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals
- Require percentage of workforce housing in developments
- Adopt standards for housing at all economic levels
- Promote affordable, generational, and diverse housing by design
- Support adequate rental property inventory
Homeless Outreach
Clothed in Dignity Pop-Up Event (December):
- 35 coats distributed
- 12 coats left on LAC clothing rack for ongoing distribution
CommUNITY Service Team - Saturday Lunch Project (COMPLETED)
Project Duration: 3-year initiative completed December 2025
Impact Metrics:
- 160 consecutive Saturday lunches
- 12,800+ meals served
- 30+ participating organizations
- 1,350 volunteer participants
- $80,000+ in municipal cost savings
2026 Continuation: 48 of 52 weeks already filled with volunteer groups for 2026
Additional December Activities: Funded final 2025 Saturday lunch, Greater Lodi Pastors Appreciation Lunch, 6th Annual Salvation Army Hope Harbor Christmas Party, and life application training for 110 men
IV. Update from City Staff
Expected Discussion Topics
- LAC permanent operator RFP evaluation and selection timeline
- Main Street project progress and completion timeline
- LAC facility improvements and project site updates
Context from December: All RFP applicants have been interviewed; evaluation proceeding through City Council. New materials being delivered to LAC project site; Main Street project moving forward.
V. Point-in-Time (PIT) Count
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Purpose: Federally mandated homeless census providing critical data for funding applications and program evaluation
Registration: Same sign-up process as previous years
VI. Data Enhancement Project Update
Subcommittee working to develop web-based template tools enabling organizations to read charts independently and utilize data for funding requests. Potential for analyzing historical LCOH data to support evidence-based decision making.
VII. LCOH 2025 Accomplishments & 2026 Goals
Strategic review tabled from December meeting due to time constraints. January meeting will evaluate key achievements from 2025 and establish priorities and metrics for 2026.
VIII. Temporary Pet Fostering Project
Status: Stakeholder meeting tabled until LAC permanent operator is decided
2026 Timeline: Project on hold pending operator selection; potential funding opportunities from pet store chains being explored for new year
IX. Action Items
Committee will establish specific action items, responsible parties, and deadlines during meeting discussion.
X. Non-Agenda Items
Open forum for discussion of topics not included in formal agenda.
XI. Public Comment
Community members welcome to address the committee on matters relevant to homelessness and services in Lodi.
XII. Next Meeting
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: Lodi Police Department Community Room
Questions or Agenda Submissions: Email lcohca@gmail.com
Key Performance Metrics - Lodi Access Center (2025 YTD)
Critical Issues Requiring Attention
1. County Funding Crisis
$17-27 million projected deficit for shelter programs poses existential threat to services beginning March 2026. Requires immediate advocacy and alternative funding strategy development.
2. Housing Availability Gap
Multiple providers operating at capacity with all Housing Choice Voucher waitlists closed. Critical bottleneck preventing client progression through service continuum.
3. Elderly Homeless Population Growth
Both Salvation Army and AHLM report increasing numbers of seniors (60+) with complex medical needs and limited income. Current shelter model inadequate for higher-level care requirements.
4. Winter Communication Barriers
29% of December referrals unreachable due to phone access challenges during cold months when survival needs override long-term housing goals. Disrupts case management continuity.
5. LAC Operator Selection Uncertainty
Ongoing RFP evaluation delays expansion projects (pet fostering, stakeholder initiatives). Clear timeline needed to reduce operational uncertainty.
Strategic Recommendations
For January 8 Meeting Discussion
- Funding Crisis Response: Develop grant diversification strategy, private fundraising campaigns, and service prioritization frameworks
- Housing Pipeline: Coordinate with City Council to ensure workforce housing developments include pathways for homeless services clients
- Elderly Care Protocol: Establish specialized workgroup for discharge planning and SNF/RCF partnership agreements
- Communication Infrastructure: Explore phone charging stations, government phone distribution, and case management continuity solutions
- LAC Transition Planning: Request detailed operator selection timeline to enable dependent initiatives to proceed with clear expectations
Accessibility & Accommodations
If you require accommodations, accessibility services, or language assistance for this meeting, please contact the City of Lodi or the Lodi Committee on Homelessness at lcohca@gmail.com at least 48 hours in advance. Meetings are held in accessible facilities with parking available.
References & Resources
- Lodi Committee on Homelessness Meeting Minutes - December 11, 2025
- Lodi Committee on Homelessness Subcommittee Reports - December 2025
- Lodi Access Center Performance Data - January through November 2025
- Lodi Police Department Community Liaison Reports - 2025
- Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Housing Supports Program Report - December 2025
- Salvation Army Hope Harbor Services Report - December 2025
- Lodi House Shelter and Transitional Program Data - December 2025
- San Joaquin Continuum of Care Meeting - December 2025
- Lodi City Council Housing Goals - December 16, 2025
- Point-in-Time Count Information - San Joaquin County, January 27, 2026
- For More Information: lcohca@gmail.com
Lodi 411 Community Report | January 2026