Rowena Lugtu-Shaddox FOX40 News

July 1, 2009
SACRAMENTO—
More than 100 homeless are comfortably laying their heads down tonight, in an empty city-owned space along I-5.

With the Cal Expo shelter closed for the summer as of Wednesdayy,, local homeless advocates banded together to form Safe Ground.

"This is the first day of many to come where our city and community allows those with no home a place to go and no income, to have a place to exist," said Greg Bunker, Francis House Executive Director.

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The city and police are testing the waters. Safe Ground will move to empty city-owned lots every 24 hours.

Tina Ricebailey used to be homeless. Now working for Loaves and Fishes, she says homeless just need someone to give them a break.

"This isn't costing nobody any money for us to be here. It's a piece of property," Ricebailey said. "It doesn't cost the city, it doesn't cost the county, it doesn't cost the state."

Thirty homeless have found permanent homes since Tent City was disbanded, and another 65 are scheduled to find permanent housing by August.