|
July Newsletter Highlights:
Read how SSF and the CoC support regional collaboration, join us for the 2025 Continuum of Care Annual Meeting, celebrate progress towards preventing and resolving homelessness for youth, and more
| | | |
Recent legislation proposing to restructure Sacramento’s homelessness governance system is a call for collaboration. It signals both a lack of awareness of what’s already underway and an appeal to strengthen our region’s coordination of strategy and services.
Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) has led the region’s Continuum of Care (CoC) since 2011, a role established during a recession to strengthen management and reduce costs. Collaboration has been purposefully at the core of the work and values of SSF. The CoC serves to lead Sacramento, aligning strategies, ensuring accountability, and supporting the region in competing for federal funding.
Certainly, we need a responsive and robust system that addresses homelessness, the top concern for most in our community. For years now, SSF and the CoC have led that effort, alongside the County, cities, Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, and many local service partners.
We have come a long way in serving Sacramento, increasing our ability to help people more quickly and providing better solutions for long-term housing and safety. While needs often outpace available funding and staffing, we work closely with partners to make the most of existing resources while aiming to serve those who need support.
SSF and the CoC are committed to continuous improvement as well as transparency and accountability. In 2024, SSF, in partnership with City and County staff, commissioned a report to explore shared governance models and guide discussions for the region. This effort is setting the foundation for an inclusive and transparent local process to determine our best regional approach to collaboration.
What we need is action on this local work.
This week, the CoC is convening a series of virtual meetings to acknowledge progress, gather input, and shape our next application for the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funds. As budgets shrink, this coordination will continue to help us co-create a shared “north star” that focuses on prevention—keeping our neighbors from becoming homeless—and resolution—rapidly moving people into housing and the support of services they need.
This moment requires collaborative leadership, shared vision, creative solutions, and a willingness to roll up our sleeves and do the hard talking together. Let’s do so with urgency, commitment, and purpose.
With deep gratitude,
Lisa Bates
CEO, Sacramento Steps Forward
|
| | | | |
Response to Proposed Legislation from The Continuum of Care Board Chair
"Twelve years ago, I was sleeping outside in Sacramento, trying to survive another night. Today I serve as Chair of the Sacramento Continuum of Care, the federally recognized body coordinating our region's homelessness response. I know what it means to be without housing. I also know how important it is to have systems in place that work for real people, in real time.
That is why I feel compelled to speak out against SB 802."
| | | | |
The 2025 CoC Annual Meeting Starts Tomorrow!
With reduced funding expected from local, state, and federal sources, collaboration is more critical than ever. The 2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Annual Meeting offers an opportunity for you to stay informed, share your insights, and help guide decisions that affect how we prevent and resolve homelessness in Sacramento.
Over two days, we’ll explore how our system is adapting to changing needs and resources, what we can do to improve, and how we will approach our region’s application for the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance & Prevention (HHAP) grant. This meeting is open to all: service providers, decision-makers, and community members working to make a difference.
Attend one or both sessions:
Wednesday, July 9, 8:00–10:00 a.m.
A focused update and collaborative feedback forum for the homelessness response system.
Thursday, July 10, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
A more comprehensive community session with the same core updates plus additional time for discussion, feedback, and collaboration.
| | | |
Continuum of Care June Meetings
Discover more about our local Continuum of Care (CoC)—which leads our regional planning, coordination, and funding to resolve homelessness—by joining upcoming committee meetings.
| | | |
Upcoming Trainings for Service Providers
Survivor Coordinated Access System Training Series
Sacramento Steps Forward is hosting a 3-part Survivor Coordinated Access System (S-CAS) training series to provide you with the most current programs and opportunities for survivors.
-
July 23: For all service providers, and required for CAS Assessors and CoC-funded providers. Attendees will learn about partner organizations and VAWA protections for their clients.
-
July 30: For Victim Service Providers (VSPs). Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the SCAS, survivor referral process, and resources in the system.
-
September 10: For certified CAS Assessors. A step-by-step walkthrough of assessing and adding a client to the S-CAS Priority List, and more.
Disability Rights & Best Practices: August 6
Join Sacramento Steps Forward and Disability Rights California (DRC) on August 6 at 10:00 a.m. for a foundational webinar on disability laws, current issues, and inclusive etiquette. This session will help Sacramento providers strengthen day-to-day interactions and support for people with disabilities. This training is open to all providers in the homelessness response system.
Fair Housing Training: August 20
Save the date! Learn how Fair Housing laws support Housing First principles, prevent homelessness, and expand access to housing. Join Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC) and Project Sentinel to interactively explore protected categories, reasonable accommodations, and habitability standards through real-world scenarios. This training fulfills the annual requirement for HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) subrecipients. Open to all Sacramento providers.
Housing Problem Solving Training: September 17 and November 5
Limited seats available! This in-person training is nearly full for September, with limited availability in November. This session is required for Coordinated Access System (CAS) Assessor certification and equips participants with strength-based, trauma-informed skills rooted in motivational interviewing. The training also offers networking time to strengthen collaboration.
| | | |
Frontline Learning Collaborative Meeting
Mark your calendars for the two-year anniversary meeting of the Frontline Learning Collaborative on Thursday, July 24, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center. This meeting will include a special presentation from Sacramento County's Department of Human Assistance, guiding providers on available resources and how to help clients access them.
This is a great opportunity for frontline staff to connect, learn, and grow together.
| | Updates & Progress Points | | | |
How the Coordinated Access System Helped People in May 2025
Sacramento's Coordinated Access System (CAS) is our community's door to homelessness and housing services. In May, it connected 6,056 people to support. The CAS helped prevent homelessness for 16 people, supported 122 to become housed, and enrolled 275 in shelter.
To access the CAS, call 2-1-1 and press 8.
| | | |
Skyclutch Selected to Develop New TAY Mobile App
Sacramento Steps Forward is proud to announce Skyclutch as the selected developer for a new mobile app that will support Transition Age Youth (TAY) in the Sacramento region. The app will provide youth ages 18 to 24 with real-time text and chat support, a searchable directory of local services, and easy access to resources that meet their needs. By simplifying how youth find and connect to help, the app, planned to launch September 2025, aims to reduce barriers and improve service navigation.
| | | | |
Mobile Health Program Expands Behavioral Health Services
Sacramento County’s Wellness Without Walls (W3) mobile clinic has added the Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART), bringing behavioral health care directly to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HEART staff now join W3 in the field and at shelters to offer screenings, case management, and harm reduction tools.
This expansion supports key goals in the Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan (RCHAP), including meeting people where they are and connecting them to whole-person care.
| | | | |
Provider Spotlight:
Roberts Family Development Center
For over 25 years, Roberts Family Development Center has supported children and families across North Sacramento with education, counseling, and critical services. From after-school programs to emergency assistance, their work shows the power of whole-family support and strong community partnerships.
Read the full spotlight to learn how RFDC is making a lasting impact and how you can get involved.
| | | | |
Free Record Expungement Clinic
The Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office is hosting a free, public clinic to provide guidance on clearing criminal records; a critical step toward gaining stable housing and employment.
When: July 14,1:30–3:30 p.m.
Where: Molina One Stop Help Center (6075 Florin Rd, Suite 200)
How: Register by texting (916) 708-0695
| | | |
Free Training and Disaster Preparedness Kits for Community Organizations
CalOES Listos has launched a new Neighborhood Block Party initiative to build stronger and more resilient communities one block at a time through connection and seasonal disaster preparedness. This new campaign offers free virtual training and block party kits to help communities plan engaging events. Community based organizations, including shelter and housing operations, can request for the new kits, regardless of Listos funding status.
| | | |
New Resources for Problem Solving Access Point Providers
Sacramento Steps Forward has two new guides to help service providers problem solve with their clients.
Eviction Avoidance Breakdown: This new document, now required for all Eviction Avoidance requests, captures all the necessary fees the participant will need to pay in order to stop the eviction and resolve their housing crisis; fees include rental arrears, late fees, and court/ legal fees for the previous 3 months.
Problem-Solving Talking Points: This document will serve as a reference for providers to streamline communication with clients, landlords, and third parties. The documents includes frequently asked questions, summaries of services offered, eligibility parameters, and process times.
| | |
Share Your Work: Be Featured as a Provider
Help us highlight the great work happening across Sacramento! We’re inviting providers to share their progress, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration to be featured in our upcoming newsletters and other communications. This is a chance to showcase your impact, inspire new partnerships, and help shape the conversation around homelessness response. Fill out the form below to share your story and connect with the broader community.
| | | |
HUD Offers $20M in Research Grants on Housing Innovation
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced two competitive research grant programs totaling up to $20 million. These grants aim to tackle housing affordability and explore innovative building technologies. Funding is available for research in areas such as government-induced demand, offsite construction, and the use of AI to streamline regulations.
Applications are due July 24, 2025. Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofits, and for-profit entities.
| | | |
Now Hiring: The Behavioral Health Commission
The Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) is recruiting! The BHC is a brand new county commission that will advise the Board of Supervisors and Behavioral Health Director on the topics of mental health and substance use disorders. There are currently open seats available for Consumers, Family Members, and Public Interest representatives in all districts (find out which district you live in):
- Consumer: individuals who are receiving or have received behavioral health services
- Family Member: family members of individuals who are receiving or have received behavioral health services
- Public Interest: individuals who have experience with and knowledge of the behavioral health system
If you are interested in applying, please review the Behavioral Health Commission Bylaws and submit the attached application. Applications can be mailed to 700 H St., Suite 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814, or emailed to boardclerk@saccounty.gov.
| | | | | |
