TEMECULA, Calif. — The City of Temecula has been named a recipient of the 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence, receiving statewide recognition in the Housing Programs and Innovations category for its innovative approach to preventing and reducing homelessness among families and vulnerable individuals.
Presented by the League of California Cities (Cal Cities), the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence recognizes outstanding achievements by California cities that improve the quality of life and delivery of services in their communities. Temecula was one of just 12 cities selected statewide from 161 submissions for the 2026 awards.
“This recognition is a testament to Temecula’s commitment to finding thoughtful, compassionate solutions that truly meet people where they are,” said Temecula Mayor Jessica Alexander. “Our goal is not simply to address homelessness, but to help people move toward stability while treating every individual and family with dignity and respect. We are incredibly grateful to see this work recognized statewide.”
Temecula earned the Housing Programs and Innovations award for its Flexible Family Assistance Program, a coordinated approach designed to address a critical gap in traditional shelter systems: keeping families together while preserving the stability they need to move forward.
Through partnerships with Social Work Action Group (SWAG), Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Crisis Team, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Mission Hope, and other community organizations, families can be quickly identified and connected with resources using a “shelter-in-place” approach. This allows families and other vulnerable individuals to stabilize immediately within the community while longer
term housing solutions are identified, reducing unnecessary disruption and helping families remain connected to their jobs, schools, and support systems. In 2025 alone, the program served 42 households representing approximately 162 individuals, including 102 children.
Temecula’s recognition demonstrates how early intervention, flexible assistance and strong partnerships can create meaningful, cost-effective solutions while preserving the family and community connections that are critical to long-term stability.
City of Temecula • 41000 Main Street • Temecula, CA 92590 • 951-694-6444 • TemeculaCA.gov
