Homelessness in Vacaville is reaching critical levels, with both community advocates and local service providers raising concerns about a system stretched to its limits amid rising housing costs, inadequate shelter space, and fragmented public services.

Ashley Banta, Executive Director of Opportunity House, the city’s largest homelessness outreach nonprofit, said homelessness in Vacaville has increased “tremendously” over the past year. Her organization, which provides shelter for about 100 residents annually as well as street outreach, aftercare, and youth-focused programs, has seen a dramatic spike in calls from people experiencing homelessness for the first time.

“We’ve seen a huge increase, largely due to the rising cost of living and the severe lack of affordable housing,” Banta sai

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