Homeless Programs

Through a collaborative effort of numerous stakeholders, a decision was reached to transition the oversight of the Continuum of Care (CoC) and management of homeless programs to a newly formed non-profit organization, Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF).

Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance has historically administered the community’s CoC and many of the homeless programs for the City and County of Sacramento. The transition to SSF allows for a new vision enabling a public / private collaboration, new funding opportunities, economic efficiencies, the ability to move towards regionalization and a streamlined approach to ending homelessness.

Information about Sacramento Steps Forward can be found at www.sacramentostepsforward.org or by calling 916-577-9770.

Sacramento Countywide 2011 Homeless Street Count Results

The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) Homeless Programs and Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) released the results of the 2011 Point-in-Time Homeless Count on April 22, 2011. The 2011 Homeless Count findings are:

• Chronic Homelessness in Sacramento Has Decreased 50.8% Since 2007
• 15.8% Decrease in Overall Homelessness Since 2009

Held during the evening of January 27, 2011, the Homeless Count consisted of two distinct components: an unsheltered count and survey of persons living in places not meant for human habitation and a sheltered count (persons living in emergency or transitional housing). Read the 2011 Homeless Street Count Summary Sheet and Summary Results, Methodology & Technical Report.

Laverne Adolfo Housing Programs for Former Foster Youth

Former foster youth experiencing homelessness is an ever increasing concern. The 2009 report “Too Big To Ignore, Youth Homelessness in California” developed by the John Burton Foundation provides the following information:

• 18% to 22% will experience homelessness within three years of discharge from foster care
• 67% of homeless adolescents are experiencing a mental disability
• 28% of runaway youth that entered shelters cited abuse or neglect as a critical issue

The Adolfo program provides transitional housing and supportive services to former foster youth in the age range of 18 years and up to the 24th birthday for Transitional Housing and through 24 years for Permanent Supportive Housing. The Adolfo program also provides services to youth with children. The goal of the Adolfo program is to help the youth work towards independence and self-sufficiency. Supportive services include case management, assistance with transportation, food, clothing, personal items, and access to employment and education resources.

The Adolfo program is funded by federal the Housing and Urban Development Supportive Housing program and the California State Department of Social Services Transitional Housing Program Plus program. Two agencies provide Adolfo services. Volunteers of America provides Transitional Housing services and Lutheran Social Services provides Permanent Supportive Housing services.

Agency phone numbers:

Volunteers of America: (916) 879-1784

Lutheran Social Services : (916) 453-2900 Ext 200

Applications for Adolfo Housing Services will be accepted up to 6 months prior to emancipation.

For program questions, please contact Victor Contreras, Program Planner, Sacramento County Homeless Programs, at (916) 874-4351 or contrerasv@saccounty.net

Shelter Plus Care

The administration of the Shelter Plus Program has been transferred to the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA). For information about the SHRA Shelter Plus Care program please call (916) 440-1390.