Voices of Elk Grove – Old Town/Historic Downtown Elk Grove merchants, resident object to temporary homeless shelter

In response to plans by Elk Grove to open a temporary homeless shelter later this year in Old Town/Historic Downtown Elk Grove, three merchants and one resident voiced opposition to the plan. The comments were made during public comment on non-agenda items during the Wednesday, September 13, Elk Grove City Council meeting.  
Earlier this month, Elk Grove announced plans to temporarily use the former Rite Aide drugstore at 9260 Elk Grove Blvd. as a temporary homeless shelter between this November and next March. The city purchased the structure and plans to make it the new site of the Elk Grove Library.
As seen in the video, three Old Town/Historic Downtown Elk Grove merchants and one resident all opposed the temporary shelter. The speakers in chronological order were Allan Vito Jr., Allan Vito III, Penelope Leonard, and Samantho Govon.
Interestingly, the Vito’s, proprietors of Old Town’s Bob’s Bar, said they supported the city council and their efforts to fight the lawsuit filed against the city by the California Attorney General. That lawsuit asserted the mayor and city council violated fair housing laws when they rejected the Oak Rose supportive housing project in July 2022.
“I truly want to believe you guys are fighting the fight with the Oak Rose apartment to try to keep that place out of our community,” Allen Vito III said. “To someplace that’s better fitted for it.”
Ironically, hours later, Elk Grove announced the city council would reconsider their Oak Rose rejection during their September 27 meeting. That meeting is expected to generate substantial community interest.