Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF)

Facilitate Access to Shelter, Housing & Services1. Implemented a Coordinated Access SystemIn late 2022, the Coordinated Access System (CAS) was launched through a partnership among Sacramento Steps Forward, 2-1-1, the City of Sacramento, and Sacramnto 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 its inaugural year (ending in December 2023), the prevention program assisted 805 households in obtaining or retaining housing, with an average investment of $3,114 per household. Remarkably, 85% of these households remained housed after one year, showcasing the effectiveness of the prevention efforts.2. Supported a Youth Homelessness Demonstration ProjectIn late 2022, the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC) was chosen to participate in HUDs Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). This initiative brought a $6,509,295 award to the Sacramento region, providing crucial funding and technical assistance 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.

Lead Community-wide Planning & Engagement 1. Launched the Local Homeless Action PlanThe Sacramento Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) was launched in early 2022 in response to the states third round of funding for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP-3). 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. Updating the Plan to incorporate a more comprehensive regional approach began in late 2023, resulting in the All In Sacramento Regionally Coordinated Framework and Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness which will launch in 2024. 2. Hosted First All In Sacramento ConferenceBuilding upon the collaborative efforts outlined in the Local Homeless Action Plan, a regional conference was convened in April 2023 to host an All In rally, uniting the Sacramento community to collectively address homelessness. Community leaders, service providers, volunteers, and advocates gathered to engage, network, and strengthen bonds. Through a series of presentations, we conveyed the plans overarching goals, shared specific elements within the upcoming activities, and set the stage for communications throughout the rest of the year. The conference was both a celebration of existing efforts and a catalyst for launching a new era of collaboration.3. Supported the Continuum of Care InfrastructureIn 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. Sacramento Steps Forward provides the infrastructure to carry out these mandates by supporting the 30+ member board of directors, ten committees, various in person and virtual meetings, and robust communications. 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. In 2021, the Sacramento CoC Board held its inaugural annual meeting, a live virtual event that included many community members and featured breakout working sessions. We convened virtually the following year, but 2023 enabled a hybrid, half-day event, bringing together more than 100 people for learning, collaborating, and networking both in-person and virtually. During these forums, we heard from people with lived experience of homelessness, those on the front lines of response as service providers, and those leading regional-level planning. We discussed progress and how to better coordinate efforts and share knowledge. These gatherings have served as essential opportunities to strengthen our collective resolve and capacity to create positive change.

Increase Capacity & Knowledge1. Facilitated the Sacramento Homeless Policy Council Launched in 2021, 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.2. Implemented Provider and Partner TrainingsIncreasing 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.3. Guided the Housing Families First CollaborativeThe 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 collaborative also brings together experts in various relevant fields, including individuals with lived expertise of homelessness, to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackling family homelessness.4. Partnered on a Homeless & Health Systems PilotCollaboration 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.