An Overview of Tuolumne County Housing Goals and Funding
Note: Engage Tuolumne’s series of articles on homelessness began with the June 4 and 20 newsletters (“Let’s Have a Conversation About the Causes of Homelessness,” “What is Our Central Sierra Continuum of Care”) and continues in successive issues.
To guide community development, California requires each county to have a housing plan or housing element update as a part of its General Plan. These plans are updated on a regular cycle, usually every eight years. The purpose of a housing plan or element update is to ensure that the county is current in identifying the needs of its citizens and future residents and that equitable, inclusive policy aligns with state law.
Key goals in a housing plan include 1) assessing housing needs, 2) planning for housing production, 3) removing barriers to housing, 4) promoting fair housing, and 5) engaging the community. Ideally, a community’s housing element serves as a roadmap for how the county will meet its housing goals while considering growth, environmental impacts and community input.
Tuolumne County’s Housing Plan/Housing Element Update, adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 3, 2019 by Resolution 88-19, set forth a course of action for housing and homelessness for the subsequent five years. Ideally, the county plan provides foundational components and details the compliance necessary to align with the state’s housing goal.
Tuolumne County has accomplished the following in its Housing Goals, as identified in the Housing Plan’s 8-year Cycle. This cycle was completed.
Data from the updated element show: (1)
Homelessness is up 6.3% since 2023
Housing Units completed 2019-2023 are 393. Of these units, price points were directed at the following income categories:
- Very low-income, 0%
- Low-income, 1.8%
- Moderate income, 3.7%
- Above moderate-income, 57.85%
- No data available, 36.35%
In reinforcing the state’s goal of “decent housing in a suitable living environment for every Californian,” Tuolumne County government applied for and received the following homeless, housing, and behavioral health grants to address the housing needs of its residents.
| Grant Title | Grant Source | State Fiscal Year | ||
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | ||
Home Safe | CA Department of Social Services | $ 250,000 | $ 250,000 | |
Housing and Disability Advocacy Program | 291,666 | 292,694 | ||
Housing Support Program (CalWORKS) | 602,337 | 605,514 | $1,207,851 | |
Bringing Families Home | 254,173 | 255,449 | 509,622 | |
Transitional Housing/Housing Navigator Programs | 12,770 | 12,770 | 62,890 | |
Homeless Housing, Assistance & Prevention Program (HHAP) | CA Department of Housing and Community Development | $1,947,844 | ||
The above information was listed in a document circulated by county staff titled “Homeless Services Funding Streams and Funding Eligibility” and last modified August 13, 2024. That document was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by a Tuolumne County resident.
Take Action
Much more needs to be done. What can we citizens do?
- We can contact our state and federal representatives and advocate for continuing funding.
- Tom McClintock (R) U.S. Congress, 5th District, (916)786-5560 or (202) 225-2511,
- David Tangipa, (R) CA 8th Assembly District, 916-319-2008 or 559-446-2029,
- Marie Alvarado-Gil, (R) CA 4th Senate District, 916-651-4004, 209-576-6001, or 916-933-8680.
- We can attend the Tuolumne County Homelessness Committee monthly meetings to find out how this funding has been spent: the second Thursday of each month, 9 a.m., Committees & Commissions Room, Francisco Bldg., 48 Yaney St., 3rd Floor, or Board of Supervisors Chambers. Check the agenda for the location.
- We can read the Housing Element of the County General Plan.
- We can look into successful programs for unhoused people in other rural CA counties and inform our elected officials.
- And we can advocate at City Council and Board of Supervisors meetings for affordable housing, and for more and better services for unhoused people.
NOTES
1. “Housing Status and Metrics by County: Tuolumne County Housing,” State of California Accountability, 2025 State of California, updated April 3, 2025.