The Board of Supervisors voted today to approve an additional $724,000 to increase shelter capacity for homeless individuals and families.
“With these additional funds, we’ll be able to provide 1,740 motel vouchers throughout this winter and increase Rapid Rehousing placements,” said Chairman of the Board, Supervisor Phil Serna. “Combined with the funds approved in September, we’ll be able to provide Rapid Rehousing to 200 families and individuals; putting people in homes rather than giving them a temporary bed at night.”
How the additional funding breaks down:
$600,000 for rapid rehousing (bringing the total County investment to $1 million when combined with the $400,000 approved at final budget)
$124,000 for motel vouchers
“By funding Rapid Rehousing, we’ll be making real, long-term investments that will actually begin to solve the problem,” said County Executive Bradley J. Hudson. “We want to make a real difference rather than continuing to provide temporary emergency shelter that in the end still leaves people homeless. This approach will get them into permanent housing.”
These enhancements will bring the total County-funded emergency shelter capacity to more than 700 people each night. This funding is in addition to the support provided to Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) for the Winter Sanctuary Program, and other year-round emergency shelters funded by Sacramento County.
On December 8, contracts for implementing the Rapid Rehousing program will be brought to the Board of Supervisors for approval. The contracts, in partnership with Sacramento Steps Forward, will help identify housing.
“We have already hired someone to recruit and support landlords, as well as overcome barriers they may have to renting to this population,” said Ryan Loofbourrow, Executive Director of Sacramento Steps Forward. “With this additional funding, we’ll be able to permanently move more people off of the streets and help turn their lives around. This will also serve as a great model for the entire region.”
In addition to housing identification, Rapid Rehousing provides move-in assistance, case management and services, and rental and utility assistance for up to 8 months. All of the Rapid Rehousing components are built upon the success of the Housing Program/Rapid Rehousing program that was successfully implemented in 2009 when the Sacramento Region piloted the program. At the end of the pilot in 2012 the program housed 2,401 families comprised of 6,100 individuals.
