By Dean Maddox, Public Safety & Crime Reporter

Lisa Bates, who has led Sacramento Steps Forward as CEO since February 2019, will leave her position on June 5. While the organization is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it functions as the lead agency for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care in the Sacramento region.

Bates described the decision as one that “did not come lightly,” noting that the work has been “deeply meaningful.” Board members said the move was part of a planned succession tied to her personal life and future plans. The board has named chief program officer Trent Simmons as interim CEO. Simmons joined the organization in 2022 and has served in his current role since early 2025.

The announcement comes shortly after the release of Sacramento County’s 2026 Point-in-Time count, which estimated 7,458 people homeless, a roughly 13 percent increase from the previous count two years earlier.

Sacramento Step Forward coordinates the bulk of local homelessness response, distributing public funds, and shaping strategy in partnership with city and county governments. 

According to its most recent IRS Form 990 filings, the nonprofit reported revenue of more than $26 million in a recent year, the vast majority of which comes through government grants and contracts from HUD, the state, and local jurisdictions. Bates’ base compensation as CEO was listed at approximately $211,000 in the latest available filing, with total compensation including benefits reaching around $222,000.

California has directed billions of dollars toward homelessness programs, shelters, and housing initiatives in recent years. State audits and project records show that the cost of developing new permanent supportive housing units has frequently run between $380,000 and more than $1 million per unit.

Many critics are asking if taxpayer dollars spent on homelessness are actually being spent wisely. Homelessness remains a major problem despite —or perhaps because of — repeated commitments from state and local officials to expand funding through taxes and other measures. Meanwhile some question whether the nonprofits directing public dollars have appropriate oversight and accountability.

Similar nonprofit models that rely heavily on taxpayer dollars have drawn sharper scrutiny elsewhere. In San Francisco, the former CEO of the United Council of Human Services, a homelessness services provider, was charged earlier this year with misappropriating more than $1.2 million in public funds. Prosecutors allege Gwendolyn Westbrook used the money for unauthorized payments to herself, luxury purchases at retailers like Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus, and other personal expenses while the organization received millions in city contracts to help the homeless.

At the same time, city and county leaders in Sacramento continue to discuss forming a joint powers authority to better coordinate efforts across jurisdictions. Supporters say such a structure could improve efficiency and accountability.

Bates’ departure marks a transition point for the organization at a time when the latest data underscores the ongoing challenges. Whether the change leads to new approaches or continued emphasis on existing strategies remains to be seen. For now, the focus stays on the numbers on the street and the resources being deployed to address them.