Stockton city officials have declared a local emergency to protect hundreds of homeless people who could be displaced next month following the closure of the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless.

The facility is set to close down on Aug. 15, leaving nearly 250 without shelter.

“The local emergency declaration is being made due to the potential public health and safety emergency, which includes the risk of severe injury, suffering, and extreme peril of life and safety that could result should the hundreds of unsheltered individuals currently served by the Shelter be displaced within the Stockton community,” city officials said in a news release.

By declaring the emergency, city officials say they will have the ability to allocate funding, enter contracts with other service providers, and make immediate decisions related to public health and safety.

Members of the shelter say that with financial assistance from the city they will remain open past their planned closing date to assist with transitions.

Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.