California city rolls out ‘glamping’ for homeless amid fierce criticism over costs
The city of Sacramento has opened a new $2.5 million safe camping site for the homeless, which includes raised wooden platforms, city-issued tents, and around-the-clock security. The site can accommodate up to 125 people and will cost an estimated $1.2 million annually to operate, with each resident receiving a tent, cot, and access to shared facilities. The opening of the site comes amid criticism over the costs and a recent audit that raised questions about the effectiveness of the city's homelessness response.
- ▪The new safe camping site in Sacramento's River District cost $2.5 million to build and can accommodate up to 125 people.
- ▪The site will cost an estimated $1.2 million annually to operate, with each resident costing around $9,600 per year.
- ▪A recent audit found that Sacramento spent $63.2 million on homeless shelter programs over two years but has no clear standard for determining when pricier shelter models are worth the cost.
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Metro California city rolls out ‘glamping’ for homeless amid fierce criticism over costs By Jamie Paige Published June 24, 2026, 8:41 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google Sacramento’s latest attempt to tackle homelessness comes with a hefty price tag: roughly $20,000 per bed for a government-run tent camp complete with raised wooden platforms, city-issued tents and around-the-clock security. The new $2.5 million safe camping site in the city’s River District officially opened this week with room for up to 125 people. And the costs don’t stop there. City officials estimate it will cost another $1.2 million annually to operate — about $9,600 per bed each year, according to ABC10.
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