CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA, June 23, 2023 -- The City of Citrus Heights is excited to announce a proposed partnership with Sacramento County Department of Homeless and Housing and Sacramento Covered, which provides health care access and care coordination for the community. Sacramento Covered utilizes classifications known as Community Health Workers to deliver services and care coordination in the field to persons experiencing homelessness.
After the dissolution of Sacramento Self-Help Housing and the affiliated Homeless Navigator service, the City immediately began evaluating alternative options to allow for continued homeless outreach navigation services. The City approached Sacramento County to consider a partnership to build on recent county efforts on outreach and navigation services provided by Sacramento Covered.
The City, the County, and Sacramento Covered have a mutual desire to improve the coordination and combining of efforts to meet the needs of the unhoused and to help move individuals out of homelessness in the City.
While the problem of homelessness has no single solution and knows no boundaries, the City and County intend to jointly address the issue through strong community partnerships and a network of resources. While some resources may not be available within the city limits, Community Health Workers (CHW) will increase efficiencies and consistency by collaborating alongside the County, as the County administers health and human services and Sacramento Covered will be well-versed on the network of services and resources to help address the needs of unhoused residents in Citrus Heights.
“The City of Citrus Heights has been hard at work helping those in our community facing homelessness. I'm pleased that we'll be able to advance this work with improved efficiencies by working alongside Sacramento County and continue helping those in need of outreach services," said City Manager, Ashley Feeney. “These services are essential to ensuring our local unhoused population, who are ready and willing to accept help, are being provided the resources and connections they need to access important services that can help their well-being, including pathways to housing."
“Outreach navigation services have proven successful in helping provide assistance to those experiencing homelessness in Citrus Heights. Service provision and efforts to lift people out of homelessness and into housing contributes to the overall quality of life for all residents. We're thankful for the work of Sacramento Self-Help Housing and are looking forward to the additional impact of this program with Sacramento County and Sacramento Covered," said Mayor Tim Schaefer.
“I'm thrilled to see our critical outreach services expand into Citrus Heights. We're already seeing positive results from Sacramento Covered in the unincorporated County," said Board of Supervisor over District 4, Sue Frost. “Homelessness and its impacts on the broader community aren't secluded to any one jurisdiction, we need a broad response all over the County. I look forward to seeing the positive results this partnership has for Citrus Heights."
“Sacramento Covered is making positive impacts all over Sacramento County," said Kyle Stefano, VP of Clinical Programs for Sacramento Covered. “Citrus Heights has a need for continued outreach and navigation services, and we're ready to get to work and see the positive impact on both the unhoused and the community through this partnership."
The team of Community Health Works will engage and serve persons experiencing homelessness by connecting individuals to supportive services, emergency shelter, interim housing and permanent housing. One of the goals for this team will be to establish a positive relationship with the local community organizations, including Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team, and other regional resources and City partners, in order to foster a supportive coalition for unhoused individuals in the City. This partnership, pending approval by City Council, could be implemented in late summer.
For more information about outreach services in Citrus Heights, please contact Nicole Piva, Housing & Human Services Program Coordinator with the City of Citrus Heights at 916-727-4752 or npiva@citrusheights.net.