Riverbank shows remodeled Sierra House shelter; city says program will offer year-long support and require continued funding

City staff used the May 14 council meeting to show photos and describe the recently remodeled Sierra House, a small shelter and day-use facility intended to serve unhoused residents in Riverbank.

The presentation described a day-use modular building offering showers, two ADA restrooms, laundry and an intake office for Cambridge Academy staff, plus interior renovations to the house itself. Staff said the site provides meal service—citing a partnership that supplies Monday meals—and that the facility includes two bedrooms currently occupied; the property can accommodate up to 12 residents in total.

"The day use facility offers showers, and services to our residents," staff said in the presentation. The program includes on-site case management, and staff told the council that the restart program is designed to last approximately one year before residents graduate.

On funding, staff said the remodel was paid in part by a county grant and additional state funding cited in the presentation. At least two different speakers referenced state support during the meeting: one council speaker praised "Senator Eggman" for a $2,000,000 line-item in the state budget for projects like this, while staff noted funding also arrived "from Senator Aikman." The transcript contains both references; the council did not reconcile those two names on the record during the meeting.

Staff said the city will need to identify future operating funds and will rely on ongoing partnerships with nonprofits to sustain services. A ribbon-cutting was described as planned for summer 2024.

Council members and commenters expressed support but also noted challenges in securing long-term commitments from participants and funding. Staff said details about program scale and resident commitments will return to the council for future consideration.