Sacramento Steps Forward
Programs
Coordinated Access System for Homelessness
Facilitate Access to Shelter, Housing & ServicesINCREASED THE CAPACITY OF THE COORDINATED ACCESS SYSTEM:The Coordinated Access System (CAS) was launched through a partnership among Sacramento Steps Forward, 2-1-1, the City of Sacramento, and Sacramento County. This initiative aimed to create a streamlined and accessible support system for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The CAS has been instrumental in connecting service providers and partners, fostering efficiency and a person-centered approach. Aside from facilitating quick access to emergency services, the initiative also prioritized preventing homelessness proactively. In the past year, Sacramento Steps Forward continued to enhance the Coordinated Access System (CAS) to serve our community. This single point of entry provides a valuable front door for those in need, whether it is to find shelter for a night or more, to avoid eviction, to access mental health support, or any number of services. IMPACT: 73,890 households connected to supportive resources. 840 households prevented from entering homelessness. 2,734 individuals enrolled in shelter. 1,518 individuals transitioned into housing.Supported a Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project:In late 2022, the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC) was chosen to participate in HUDs Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). This initiative brought crucial funding to craft and execute a unified community strategy to prevent and end youth homelessness. Central to the success of the YHDP is the active engagement and leadership of youth throughout the planning and implementation phases of the program. Under this initiative, a Coordinated Community Plan was developed, and funds have supported many housing programs including rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and host homes. In 2024, SSF continued to support the activities of the Youth Action Board (YAB), a youth lead decision-making body who coordinates the functions of YHDP. SSF and the YAB collectively drafted the Coordinated Community Plan and reached out to youth providers for feedback and support.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$24.4MSacramento Homeless Policy Council
Increase Capacity & KnowledgeFacilitated the Sacramento Homeless Policy Council:The Sacramento Homeless Policy Council (SHPC) was established to foster regional collaboration among leaders to combat homelessness. The SHPC brings together elected officials from across Sacramento County and representatives from Sacramentos Continuum of Care community. Sacramento Steps Forward facilitates quarterly meetings of the group to foster discussion and partnership on strategic and practical responses to homelessness in our region. The SHPC serves to accelerate knowledge sharing and best practices and to provide a forum for the public to observe the efforts and impacts of providers and partners involved in the homelessness response system. Towards the end of 2024, members of the SHPC, SSF, the county, and surrounding cities identified a need for better integration between the SHPC and the CoC. SSF coordinated with the County to procure a consultant to recommend a revised countywide governance structure for resolving homelessness and simultaneously placed the SHPC on hold.Implemented Provider and Partner Trainings:Increasing the capacity of homelessness service providers within Sacramentos Continuum of Care (CoC) network is a primary objective of our work. In addition to ensuring that our frontline organizations receive training to keep them current and compliant, we also address relevant issues within the community including response to natural disasters and public health emergencies. Trainings focus on program best practices in housing or homelessness-related, policy developments, adjacent issues such as behavioral health or domestic violence, and mainstream resources to, for instance, ensure quality client service. Housing Problem Solving trainings exemplify our commitment to continuous quality improvement. We refine each training session based on feedback from the previous one. These quarterly sessions also empower Partners with Lived Expertise to teach providers effective ways to converse with clients, enhancing the overall impact of our work.ADVANCED SOLUTIONS TO END FAMILY HOMELESSNESS:The Housing Families First Collaborative is a strategic initiative funded by the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund and the California Interagency Council on Homelessness to address family homelessness in the region. This collaborative effort, guided by the proven Built for Zero model, focuses on identifying, assisting, and monitoring families facing homelessness by implementing systems-level changes, enhancing service and housing access, and prioritizing racial equity. In partnership with the Black Child Legacy Campaign and as part of a county-wide initiative to prevent child deaths, the collaborative is enhancing targeted services and support for the Black and African American community. The Housing Families First Collaborative aims to ensure that every family in Sacramento has a safe, stable place to call home. The Collaborative is comprised of members who represent a cross-section of service providers, agencies, and others. Together they are problem-solving around policies, funding, and services to improve alignment, coordination, and impact. IMPACT: Hired a program director to manage the Collaborative. Prepared to launch a $4.5 million pilot program that will serve at least 150 families by November 2026. Developed a strategic plan and pilot program goals, guidelines, and benchmarks.Partnered on a Homeless & Health Systems Pilot:Collaboration with health systems is essential for an effective homelessness response system. In 2020, Sacramento Steps Forward entered into a partnership with the four regional systems in the county: UC Davis, CommonSpirit Health (formerly Dignity Health), Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health. A pilot program titled Healthcare and Homelessness, supported by the national group Community Solutions, provided the opportunity for us to explore common interests and innovative solutions. A primary goal was to develop collaborative cross-sector relationships that would contribute to reductions in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County. Collectively, we gained a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities the community faces in housing persons and families and helped develop shared strategies to address these challenges. Three programs evolved from the pilot, including a CalAIM and Community Supports program to provide resources for recuperative care, housing navigation, and tenant support, an emergency department navigator program, and the development of a private funders collaborative.COORDINATED YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND PROGRAMS:Sacramento Steps Forward supports the work of the regions Youth Action Board (YAB) for young people ages 18-24, many of whom have lived expertise of homelessness. The YAB plays a central role in shaping the local Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) and is advancing strategies to address youth homelessness. IMPACT: YHDP-funded programs included College Initiative and Street Leaders Program. Supportive housing programs helped 38 youth transition to stability through personalized case managemnt. Initial work on a mobile phone app that will connect youth with housing services, crisis support, and other community resources.BUILT CONNECTION WITH AND CAPACITY OF FRONTLINE STAFF:Since July 2023, Sacramento Steps Forward has hosted monthly gatherings to connect, share, and support case managers, housing specialists, and outreach workers through the Frontline Learning Collaborative. These meetings offer a space to build connection and capacity in a field that is demanding in many ways. IMPACT: Network of more than 700 frontline staff. Enables sharing of resources to enhance problem-solving across agencies. Provides support for emotional and professional well-being of frontline workers.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$3.2MSacramento Local Homeless Action Plan
Lead Community-wide Planning & Engagement COORDINATED A REGIONAL PLAN TO RESOLVE HOMELESSNESS:The Sacramento Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) was laaunched in 2022. Sacramento Steps Forward spearheaded this initiative in collaboration with the Sacramento City and County Continuum of Care, Sacramento County, City of Sacramento, and Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. The plan fostered a unified, cross-jurisdictional approach to tackling homelessness throughout Sacramento County. Together, we convened a diverse group of community leaders and stakeholders representing various interests to develop an actionable, relatable plan that serves as a roadmap for future funding and initiatives. In early 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward coordinated a series of public conversations and sector-specific meetings to prepare for Sacramentos fifth application to Californias Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program. IMPACT: The All In Regionally Coordinated Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Framework for implementing 8 core solutions among regional partners. $53.2 million in state HHAP-5 funding.MANAGED THE WORK OF THE CONTINUUM OF CARE:In serving as the Continuum of Care (CoC) agency for Sacramento, we coordinate and support all aspects of this Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) responsibility. Launched in 2012, the CoC Program is designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness and provide the services needed to help such individuals move into transitional and permanent housing, with the goal of long-term stability.As the lead agency for the Continuum of Care (CoC), Sacramento Steps Forward brings together system partners, aligns strategies, and manages the federal funding that supports our regions homelessness response. The CoC Board includes more than 20 volunteer community leaders and ten standing committees. Addtionally, in this role, we serve as the Collaborative Funding Applicant for federal and state funds, lead agency for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and operator of the Coordinated Access System. IMPACT: $40.5 million in FY24 funding for 36 different projects in the community. Annual meeting that brought together more than 150 community members to identify shared priorities for the year ahead. Monthly public meetings that coordinate diverse voices to planning for homelessness response. IDENTIFIED SYSTEM NEEDS THROUGH A GAPS ANALYSIS:In 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward conducted a gaps analysis on behalf of regional partners to better understand what it would take to fully meet the communitys capacity to prevent and resolve homelessness. This assessment is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive federal funding. IMPACT: The model shows that our region could eliminate unsheltered homelessness within five years and reduce overall homelessness by 53% within ten years if there was immediate expansion of prevention, diversion, and rehousing services, combined with a long-term commitment to increasing affordable housing.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$703K
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