With Sacramento County’s approval of major budget cuts in June, how have things changed for the county department that works with the homeless and other low-income populations? The Sacramento Press sat down with Bruce Wagstaff, director of the county’s Department of Human Assistance, to ask him how the budget cuts have affected the department and its work. Wagstaff provided details about the cuts and DHA’s role to manage homeless shelter beds. He is also concerned about possible state budget cuts that could harm DHA. Sacramento Press: Can you briefly explain the purpose of DHA? Bruce Wagstaff: It provides services for the lowest-income individuals in our county through public assistanc

The director of the county department that works with the homeless population said Thursday that the department is still significantly hampered by the budget crisis even though county managers want to provide it with additional funding. Bruce Wagstaff, director of Sacramento County’s Department of Human Assistance, told the Board of Supervisors the department is facing a general fund budget gap of $36.8 million and will no longer have the ability to fund 154 shelter beds for homeless people. Wagstaff presented his department’s outlook during the board’s third day of budget hearings on the county’s $180 million budget gap. A proposed budget for the 2009/2010 fiscal year may be approved by