The Board of Supervisors is taking a new approach to addressing homelessness in San Joaquin County.

During its August 18 meeting, it voted to coordinate a forum consisting of the eight cities in the County, led by District Two Supervisor Paul Canepa.

“Homelessness impacts every community across our region,” said Supervisor Canepa. “Each entity has their own approach and resources to help the unhoused population. We need to take a more holistic approach to solve this crisis.”

Earlier this year, the San Joaquin Continuum of Care (SJCoC) released its 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. It reported 3,306 homeless individuals in the County, and a nearly 50% decrease in unsheltered individuals. Despite the progress, Canepa said more needs to be done.

The eight cities that will be invited to participate are Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Mountain House, Ripon, Stockton, and Tracy.

One of the Board’s Three-Year Strategic Priorities is to reduce unsheltered homeless next by fostering “County, City, State Coordination and Participation” along with enhancing “Partnerships with NonProfits, Faith-Based Organizations, and Businesses that Align with the Board’s Goals.”

“From impacting mental health treatment to social services, homelessness is one of the greatest challenges our and many other communities struggle with,” said Board Chair and District Three Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal. “I look forward to the exchange of ideas and potential collaborations with our Cities.”

The objective of the event is to explore city and county partnerships along with innovative solutions. The forum is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 28 at the Robert Cabral Agriculture Center.