Homeless Crisis in Vacaville: A Growing Concern

The Growing Homelessness Crisis in Vacaville

At a recent meeting of the Soroptimist International of Vacaville, Gail Thomson, co-founder of the local nonprofit A Hand Up, shared a compelling presentation on the escalating homelessness crisis in the area and the urgent need for community action. Her insights highlighted not only the human cost of homelessness but also the financial burden it places on the city and its residents.

Thomson and her husband, Skip, have spent years working to support homeless individuals by helping them navigate complex systems such as applying for Social Security benefits (SSI and SSDI), securing housing, healthcare, and other essential services like food delivery and basic car repairs. However, their mission goes beyond temporary aid — their goal is to end homelessness altogether.

The statistics are alarming. Last year, 12 people died on the streets in Vacaville. These were individuals who had once been part of families, but due to various circumstances, they found themselves without shelter. As Thomson explained, the longer someone remains homeless, the more they become accustomed to hunger and cold.

The numbers show a sharp increase in homelessness over the past few years. A 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) study recorded 80 homeless individuals in Vacaville. By 2024, that number had risen to 243, with Thomson suggesting the actual figure may be even higher. She attributed this growth to demographic changes, including seniors who are priced out of the housing market and younger individuals affected by mental illness and the fentanyl crisis.

The issue is not just a social concern — it has significant financial implications for the community. From 2019 to 2024, California spent over $200 million addressing homelessness, yet the problem continues to grow. Local data shows that the costs extend to law enforcement and judicial systems. One local police chief estimates that transporting, booking, and processing a homeless individual takes 2-4 hours and costs around $2,000 per arrest. Custody costs can reach $250-$300 per night, while court proceedings — involving judges, bailiffs, attorneys, and probation officers — add even more to the total.

In addition to these costs, the city spends $118,000 annually on cleaning up homeless camps. Local hospitals also face substantial expenses. NorthBay Health, for example, spends an estimated $20 million each year on charity care, much of which is linked to homeless patients who often use emergency rooms for shelter rather than medical care.

Thomson estimated that the annual cost per homeless individual in Vacaville is approximately $9,600, leading to a total yearly community expense of about $2.4 million. Given these figures, she emphasized that arresting the homeless is not a viable solution. In July alone, 39 percent of the 245 arrests made by the Solano County Sheriff's Office involved homeless individuals, many of whom are repeat offenders.

"This is not a police problem, or a faith-based problem, or a neighborhood problem," Thomson said. "It's OUR problem. We must come together."

To address these challenges, Thomson proposed several practical steps:

• Implement Zoom court appearances to help homeless individuals avoid bench warrants due to transportation barriers.
• Develop low-cost housing solutions, including creative options like safe overnight car parking with basic vehicle checks.
• Expand transitional housing opportunities.
• Increase community awareness and prioritize homelessness as a key issue.

She also announced an upcoming event on November 1 at Orchard Baptist Church in Vacaville. Organized by A Hand Up in partnership with local agencies, the event will provide homeless individuals with the opportunity to clear bench warrants and access healthcare and other essential services through a community service fair.

"The cost of homelessness is high," Thomson said. "We can do better than letting people die on the street. It has to become a priority."