Abstract
California has one of the highest living costs of any densely populated state and consequently one of the highest rates of homelessness in the nation. Large shortages in affordable housing and lack of adequate resources have contributed to a substantial increase in homeless encampments. In this study, I focus my research on what Sacramento is currently doing to address the environmental risks posed by homeless encampments and discuss innovative methods that the city should consider implementing based on existing literature and practices from other urban areas. I used a Criteria Alternative Matrix (CAM) analysis to evaluate the alternatives for consideration. Results from the analysis found that employment of the homeless to clean up trash and debris left by homeless encampments appears most promising for mitigating the environmental impacts of homeless encampments.