The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors is considering converting the Oakmoore Golf Course in Stockton into a safe camping site for the unhoused. The property, totaling 67.25 acres, includes the golf course clubhouse and three homes, and is owned by Gurpartap Singh of Oakmoore Properties. The board has not yet decided on a specific use for the property but is planning to discuss short-term and long-term plans that involve safe camping for the unhoused population.
Safe camping provides a dedicated space for unhoused individuals to live in tents provided by the county on a temporary basis. The 2024 Point-in-Time Count reported a significant increase in homelessness in San Joaquin County, with 4,732 people experiencing homelessness compared to 2,319 in 2022 and 2,629 in 2019. The county’s short-term plan for the Oakmoore Golf Course property is to allocate about three acres for a safe camping site, with the long-term possibility of relocating various county departments to the site.
District 2 Supervisor Paul Canepa has expressed excitement over the potential use of the golf course for safe camping, stating that the county had been actively searching for a suitable property. If the plans are approved, supportive services will be provided at the camping site, along with rules and regulations to maintain cleanliness and safety. District 3 Supervisor Tom Patti commended the board for their willingness to find solutions to homelessness and acknowledged their proactive approach compared to other counties.
The county has set a price limit of $9.6 million for the purchase of the property, with a decision expected to be made at the board’s meeting on Dec. 10. The proposed conversion of the Oakmoore Golf Course into a safe camping site reflects the county’s commitment to addressing the growing issue of homelessness in the region. Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County and can be contacted for further information on the matter.
