Daytime Homeless Respite Center to stay open until June 2026

The Davis City Council announced its continued support for the Respite Center as it weighs options for possible new locations

By YUENJO FAN — city@theaggie.org

On Feb. 17, the Davis City Council met to discuss potential alternative sites for the Daytime Homeless Respite Center, the current location slated to permanently close following logistical challenges — such as budget cuts, change in service providers and neighborhood concerns. 

Since 2020, the Davis Respite Center has played a key role in the city’s homelessness resource initiative, acting as a daytime shelter for Davis’ unhoused population. With the impending closure of the Respite Center, four potential new locations have been selected for consideration. However, Director of the Social Services and Housing Department Dana Bailey noted that each one of the possible sites will likely come with challenges, including a need for significant building rehabilitation and compatibility with the neighborhood. 

Bailey detailed to the Davis City Council the department’s requests for the Respite Center in order to prolong its operation. 

“The next steps that we are asking the council to consider is [to] prioritize what an operational model will look like for the Respite Center,” Bailey said. “We are asking that the council authorize continued operations at the current site through June 30, as we make that determination of what model we would choose. We are also asking [if] there are other locations that the council would like to be considered or reviewed.”

In terms of costs, Bailey noted that building a new Respite Center could range anywhere from $148,000 to $2,750,000, depending on renovations needed at various locations. California’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) was identified during the meeting as a possible funding source to help alleviate the expenses of maintaining the Respite Center. 

Public comments brought by individuals and neighborhood representatives expressed support for the Respite Center’s continuation, though concerns were raised.

One public commenter, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns regarding neighborhood safety. 

“My wife doesn’t feel safe sometimes when she’s taking kids out of the car and unsheltered people try to engage [with] her or harass her at times,” the public commenter said. “If you can reduce the impact we feel being so close to the Respite Center, that would be great.” 

Erin Stark, another public commenter representing 50 residents of the Davis Manor neighborhood, asked about the project’s future trajectory and cost.

“What we’re asking for is clarity and structure,” Stark said. “We understand that the council wants a transition plan that preserves services while addressing long-term sustainability. We support that direction. But the staff report does not yet connect operation to timing, cost or governance safeguards.”

Ultimately, the Davis City Council decided in favor of maintaining the current Respite Center until June 2026. 

Mayor Donna Neville recognized the importance of the city continuing to sponsor a safe space for the unhoused and other city residents in need.

“We acknowledge the importance of providing respite,” Neville said. “Regardless of how constrained resources are, we believe it’s important for those in our community who are unsheltered to have a safe and welcoming place to go. Secondly, in this time of extremely constrained resources, it’s even more important than ever to work cooperatively and creatively with our community partners. We also recognize that any changes we make in the way we provide respite support need to ensure [that] those who currently receive services continue to receive them with the same level or greater. [...] What we are recommending is that the city continue to provide the existing level of services that are currently being provided at 530 L Street until approximately June 30, 2026.”

As the city government continues to ponder its final decision on where to build the new Respite Center, temporary measures have been put into place. Neville announced a referral and transportation system to the Fourth and Hope shelter in Woodland, about 12 miles north of Davis. She also cited Paul’s Place, a homeless facility associated with Davis Community Meals and Housing, as a potential alternative while the new Respite Center is being planned.

Council member Bapu Vaitla summarized the main long-term issues that the council would need to address concerning the Respite Center. 

“There are two challenges,” Vaitla said. “One is actually getting the financing and the units built. The other big challenge is that [it] will take time: How do [we] provide the necessary services for the unhoused in the meantime?”

The Davis City Council is expected to continue future discussions about methods and costs related to the Respite Center and its temporary alternatives. 

The council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Community Chambers at City Hall, 23 Russell Boulevard. More information can be found on their website. 

Written by: Yuenjo Fan — city@theaggie.Wriorg