The Board of Supervisors yesterday authorized the County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) to enter into an agreement with Wind Youth Services (WYS) for $380,000 for rehousing and supportive services for youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; and $160,000 to Sacramento Self Help Housing (SSHH) for navigation and rehousing services for unsheltered homeless populations in unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. Services will run February through October 2018 and may be extended further.
In July 2017, the Board approved funding for the implementation of four County homeless initiatives to improve the County’s response to homelessness in Sacramento County. The initiatives provide for a range of services, including shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing services specialized for a variety of households: families, individuals, and those experiencing long-term homelessness. Currently those initiatives are all in various stages of implementation.
In September, the Board approved an additional $540,000 in funding to address service gaps in the homeless initiatives and to serve vulnerable subpopulations. DHA released a Request for Proposals seeking services for families, individuals, transitional aged youth, ages 18 to 24, and unsheltered homeless in unincorporated areas of the County. The County received five responses to the RFP.
The evaluators determined that the Wind Youth Services program integrated a spectrum of services through a strong partnership among three youth service agencies working to not only support youth experiencing homelessness stabilize in housing and employment, but to help this population avoid homelessness altogether.
Evaluators also determined Sacramento Self-Help Housing’s (SSHH) proposal addressed a gap in homeless services by expanding engagement and rehousing services for persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness in unincorporated areas of the County. This program will involve a strong partnership with SSHH, neighborhood leaders, such as the Carmichael Homeless Assistance Resource Team, law enforcement and DHA staff.
All of the selected programs will provide services that further the County’s objectives to fund services that promote permanent housing placement, residential stability, and increased skill level or income in order to prepare participants to live more independently.
Read the full board letter – including scoring and discussion about the submissions received for these services.
For more information on the state of homelessness in Sacramento County, visit the Responding to Homelessness website.
CONTACT INFO:
JANNA HAYNES, SACRAMENTO COUNTY COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA, 916-874-6168
