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RiversideCA.govREPORTING OF TRANSPORT OF PERSONS WHO LACK AN ADEQUATE NIGHTIME RESIDENCESafety, Wellness, and Youth CommitteeApril 15, 2026Housing & Human Services RiversideCA.gov2
BACKGROUND•Homelessness in California remains a major publichealth and safety challenge•131,109 individuals experienced homelessness in California in 2025 4/2/2026
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RESPONSIBILITIESState law requires jurisdictions to address housing needs•Welfare & Institutions Code §17000–Counties must support indigent individuals•Government Code §§65580 & 65583–Cities must plan for housing for all economic segments–Includes individuals needing emergency shelter RiversideCA.gov4
CITY OF RIVERSIDE RESPONSELocal Investments•Homelessness Action Plan•Expanded shelter capacity•Housing navigation services•Case management services•Public Safety and Engagement Team (PSET) •Partnerships with County and nonprofit partners
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LOCAL CONDITIONS•2025 Point-in-Time Count–614 unsheltered individuals in Riverside•Riverside is a regional hub:–Robert Presley Detention Center–Regional hospitals–Behavioral health facilities–Emergency shelters and service providers RiversideCA.gov6
CURRENT CHALLENGE•Individuals are sometimes transported into Riverside without coordinated service plansImpacts •Increased demand on shelter beds•Strain on outreach and housing services•Reduced capacity for Riverside residents
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FISCAL IMPACT•Uncoordinated transportation can create financial impacts•Estimated cost to stabilize one unsheltered individual that includes PSET engagements, shelter, rental assistance, housing navigation, and case management: $63,376.19 RiversideCA.gov8
PROPOSED ORDINANCE•Amends Title 9 of the Riverside Municipal Code to add Chapter 9.56•Requires 24-hour advance notice when individuals experiencing homelessness are transported into Riverside•Notice must include:–Individual name–Place of origin–Drop-off location•Drop-offs business hours: Daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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EXCLUSIONSThe ordinance does not apply to:•Jail bookings or custody alternatives•Transportation to license hospital or medical facility•Transportation to verified appointment with a governmental or nonprofit social service provider or hearing at the Riverside County Superior Court•Transportation conducted by the City of Riverside within the City of Riverside•Public transit operations RiversideCA.gov10
ORDINANCE GOALSKey objectives:1. Ensure coordination of services2. Promote regional accountability3. Protect public health and safety
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ENFORCEMENT•Violations enforced through administrative citations •Governed by Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 1.17•Enforcement handled by Community & Economic Development Department Code Enforcement•Includes hearing and appeal process•Ordinance includes severability clause RiversideCA.gov12
RECOMMENDATIONSThat the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee:1. Receive and discuss the proposed ordinance amendingTitle 9 of the Riverside Municipal Code by addingChapter 9.56 Reporting of Transport of Persons Who Lacka Fixed, Regular, and Adequate Nighttime Residence;and2. Forward their recommendations to the City Council forconsideration.