Sacramento Homeless Union, City reach agreement on heat protections

(FOX40.COM) — The Sacramento Homeless Union and the City of Sacramento came to a mutual agreement regarding homeless protections during extreme heat before going to court.

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“Today marks a landmark victory in the ongoing fight for justice and dignity for Sacramento’s unhoused community,” President of the Sacramento Homeless Union, Crystal Rose Sanchez, said in a statement. “The settlement reached on August 1, 2025, is more than just the resolution of a legal case – it stands as a testament to the unbreakable spirit, unity, and resilience of our unhoused neighbors and all who support them.”

Since the case was filed in 2022, the city said it has enhanced its policies and procedures for its homelessness response, including its activation of respite centers.

“Moving forward, the City remains committed to providing support to its most vulnerable residents while also enforcing its laws and ordinances,” a spokesperson for the city said.

Both parties clarified that the case was settled by mutual agreement and dismissed without prejudice.

“While official city polices may not have changed, the lived experiences of those facing homelessness in the heat have shifted – not solely because of the lawsuit, but because of the relentless pressure it created. Our collective action forced attention and improvements that would not have come otherwise,” Sanchez explained.