Sacramento County, in partnership with the State of California and the City of Sacramento, welcomed guests into its third and largest-to-date Safe Stay Community on December 30th. The on-site operator, First Step Communities (FSC), manages day-to-day care and coordination. The site provides clients with individual sleeping cabins (155 cabins total – 135 single occupancy and 20 double occupancy), including double occupancy cabins for identified couples or adult families, food, bathrooms and showers, laundry services, a pet relief area, possession storage, case management and behavioral health services, job placement and housing assistance.
The site is the first tiny home site gifted and funded by the state through the Governor’s tiny home project and $17.6 million in Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) grant through
California’s Department of Housing and Community Development Agency. The state donated the materials and construction of the site, and the ERF grant will fund operational costs for three years. The County Department of Health Services has also contributed a little over $500,000 per year in Behavioral Health Bridge Housing funds to support clients that need support for mental health and substance abuse services and are also experiencing homelessness.
“I am happy to be adding another 175 beds in my jurisdiction, and the system as a whole, for people experiencing homelessness,” said District 2 County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “We’ve already seen tremendous success of these community models in District 2 – both for the clients and the surrounding neighborhoods. This site is a great example of cross-jurisdictional collaboration in the fight to end homelessness.”
As part of the State
encampment resolution funding for the Stockton Boulevard Safe Stay, the W/X streets corridor and nearby neighborhoods have been designated as the focus for outreach and engagement for the new site. Outreach workers from the
City’s Department of Community Response (DCR) have been working in this area for an extended period of time and have developed a by-name list of eligible clients. DCR staff are currently out in the field daily, communicating with unsheltered residents eligible for a spot at the Stockton Boulevard site and helping with intake.
The site is in the City of Sacramento, Council District 6. "I am very excited that we have finally reached this milestone in the tiny home safe stay shelter program,” said Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem and District 6 Councilmember Eric Guerra. “I am proud of the partnership between the multiple jurisdictions and organizations that came together to make this a reality. This goes to show what is possible with collaboration as we are all working towards the same goal. This is another critical step in the revitalization of Stockton Boulevard."
The campus was designed and constructed by the State of California. The Department of General Services (DGS) was proud to work with its local partners to design and construct this project.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has also been a key community partner. SMUD’s vision for a clean energy future is about transforming the communities they serve. SMUD’s investment of $165,385 to the State of California has contributed to the installation of heat pump-HVAC wall units and electric resistance water heating equipment in the 155 tiny homes. This community partnership supports an important cause by helping build healthier, more resilient communities and empowering residents to be active participants in building a clean energy future.
Day to Day Operations
FSC is dedicated to creating interim housing and emergency shelters where people experiencing homelessness can live with safety and dignity. Its mission is to provide a foundation of support, offering essential services that help individuals take their first steps toward self-sufficiency and permanent housing.
At the Stockton Blvd Safe Stay, every guest receives personalized, wraparound services and work closely with a case manager to break the cycle of homelessness. FSC is proud to collaborate with incredible community organizations that bring critical resources directly to the shelter. These include therapy, substance use support, medical care and more — tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. We are excited to share the successes of this shelter and the positive impact it is making in our community.
FSC provides a Code of Conduct document guests must sign and adhere to, agreeing that they will conduct themselves as good neighbors in the community. While the goal is for clients to only stay in the Safe Stay Community for three months, the site will allow most of the program participants to stay past three months and until they are connected to housing, as long as they are engaged in a support service plan and following the Code of Conduct.
For more information about how Sacramento County is addressing homelessness,
visit our website.
