After more than 15 years working in the homelessness response field, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when resources, partnerships, and strategy align—and how much can be lost when they don’t. In times of change, when funding is uncertain and needs are rising, it becomes even more important to stay focused on collaboration with our community and accountability to our funders.

As the lead agency for the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC), Sacramento Steps Forward helps bring millions of dollars in federal, state, and local investments into the region to strengthen our homelessness response system. In partnership with the City and County of Sacramento, we coordinate these investments to advance collaborative, results-driven solutions. 

Since 2011, we have led the regional application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CoC program. This funding provides permanent housing for over 1,500 individuals and families each year. The investments go well beyond providing shelter by enabling people to build stability and regain independence with the support of a unified system of care. 

Recent federal proposals to reduce HUD allocations could significantly impact our region and creates uncertainty around future support. These developments underscore the urgency of using public resources strategically to ensure continuity and progress. 

With funding received from state-level programs, such as California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) initiative, the CoC focuses on system-building programs with these long-term goals in mind. Through HHAP, we established a flexible financial support pool that has helped more than 1,500 people secure or maintain housing since 2023. This adaptable, needs-responsive assistance is essential to tackling the complex realities of housing instability and demonstrates a scalable solution. 

One of the key takeaways from our 2024 Gaps Analysis is the continued need for expanded rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention efforts. Initiatives like the Housing Families First Collaborative—backed by a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Fund—focus directly on these priorities. The Collaborative is set to provide housing and services for at least 150 families, guided by a community-rooted approach to addressing homelessness. 

To share these efforts, we are increasingly expanding the information available to our community. We recently launched a data dashboard, added a page detailing HHAP investments and expenditures, and published a progress report on the All In Sacramento Regional Plan. We invite you to explore these tools and more, to learn how we are working to reduce homelessness in Sacramento. 

Sacramento Steps Forward remains committed to achieving measurable outcomes, advancing strategic initiatives, and ensuring that every dollar invested leads to meaningful, lasting change. Together, with you and our partners, we’re building a resilient, agile system that will keep Sacramento moving forward—for everyone. 

With deep gratitude, 

Peter Bell

Continuum of Care May Meetings

Discover more about our local Continuum of Care (CoC) and its committees by joining upcoming public meetings.

• May 8: Coordinated Access System
• May 13: Partners with Lived Expertise
• May 14: Continuum of Care Board
• May 16: Providers Meeting
• May 27: Project Review (in-person)

Upcoming Provider Trainings

Sacramento Steps Forward heard your feedback from the last Coordinated Access System (CAS) Assessor Series and has extended the upcoming training to give participants more time with presenters. This seven-week series is required for new CAS Assessors and also serves as a helpful refresher for Sacramento providers. View the full schedule: 2025 CAS Assessor Training Spring Series.

Questions? Email us at trainings@sacstepsforward.org.

Frontline Learning Collaborative Meeting

Mark your calendars for the next Frontline Learning Collaborative session on Thursday, May 22, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center. We will welcome a guest speaker from MedZed Physician Services, a national organization which partners with health plans to address the complex needs of high-risk, hard-to-reach members who have not responded to traditional outreach efforts. 

This is a great opportunity for frontline staff to connect, learn, and grow together.

Our Region's Plan to Resolve Homelessness: 6-month Progress Report

Sacramento Steps Forward, the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) have released the first progress report on the Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan (RCHAP). The plan defines solutions, aligns strategies, sets priorities, and requires accountability across jurisdictions.

From September 2024 through February 2025, this regional partnership has advanced or completed 30 of 53 actions. That includes opening 233 new shelter beds (including low-barrier options), launching a family-focused rapid rehousing program, expanding outreach teams with behavioral health support, and improving coordination across housing, shelter, and health systems.

HUD Funding Secured for Sacramento Region Homelessness Response

In April, Sacramento Steps Forward officially signed the FY 2024 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program award contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), formally securing $40.5 million in continued federal funding for Sacramento’s homelessness response system. This funding supports critical housing and service programs across the region, ensuring our community can continue to make progress toward long-term solutions to homelessness and stability for our most vulnerable neighbors.

How the Coordinated Access System Helped in March 2025

Sacramento's Coordinated Access System (CAS) is our community's door to homelessness and housing services. In March, it connected 7,165 people to housing and homelessness services. the CAS helped prevent homelessness for 28 people, supported 104 exits to housing, and enrolled dozens more in shelter. Stories from the field gives us just a small glimpse into what this looks like—like a full-time worker who found stable housing within just two days, or a man with stage four cancer who moved from his car into a respite program where he could receive care.

To access help through the CAS, call 2-1-1 and press 8.

Big Day of Giving Raises Millions for Sacramento Region Nonprofits



Thank you for supporting Sacramento’s homelessness response this Big Day of Giving! Together, the region raised approximately $13.8 million for nonprofits across our community—including $474,000 for housing and shelter providers. Your generosity helps connect more people with the support they need to thrive.

If you missed it, it’s not too late—your gift can still make a difference.

State of Homelessness March Data and New Dashboard Resources

According to data gleaned from our Homeless Information Management System, by the end of March 2025:

• 1,369 people entered homelessness,
• 869 people exited homelessness,
• 6,069 people were actively experiencing homelessness, and
• the net increase was 500 people experiencing homelessness within Sacramento.

To better understand the State of Homelessness Dashboard there are two new resources to help: a set of FAQs and a short video that walks you through how to navigate the page and explore its interactive features. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Conclude

The final COVID-19 vaccine clinics wrapped up on April 22, marking the close of Sacramento County’s pandemic response. The County has ended its COVID-19 Response Team operations, and CDC funding for the initiative has been terminated ahead of the originally planned June 2025 timeline.

We’re deeply grateful to all the partners, providers, and community members who made widespread vaccine access possible.

While the COVID-19 response is winding down, Sacramento County’s Immunization Assistance Program continues its work to support community health through education, outreach, and access to other recommended vaccines.

Housing Project Progress

Creating and maintaining affordable housing takes more than just a signed contract—it requires collaboration, consistency, and ongoing stewardship. Recent progress in our community includes:

• Welcoming new residents to Powell’s Landing
• Housing senior residents at Hope Landing
• Preparing for new transitional housing coming soon from Lao Family Community Development

Additionally, SSF is updating forms to help make the housing process easier for providers..

New Tool to Share: 2-1-1 Resource Cards Now Available

Our new 2-1-1 business card is a portable way to direct people to our community's front door to homelessness and housing services. It includes information in English and Spanish, plus a QR code linking to more languages and details. Use the link below to print and use for outreach, front desks, or an on-the-go tool.

RFQ Open: Help Build a Mobile Application for TAY Support

Sacramento Steps Forward, in partnership with the Youth Action Board (YAB), is developing a mobile app to help Transitional Age Youth (TAY) experiencing or at risk of homelessness easily connect with resources. With YHDP funding from HUD, we’re seeking an off-the-shelf software solution tailored to our community.

Key dates:

• May 7 – Bidder questions due

• May 9 – SSF posts responses

• May 21 – Bids due to SSF

• June 4 – Award announced

New Resource for Providers and Outreach Staff: Connect with SSF

This work isn’t designed to be done alone! Our new flyer makes it easy to access support, resources, and community through Sacramento Steps Forward. Whether you're looking to join case conferencing, connect through provider trainings, or get involved in the Coordinated Access System (CAS), this one-pager is your quick guide to key opportunities and next steps.

Understand and Access Help for Survivors in Sacramento

Looking to learn more about the Survivor Coordinated Access System (S-CAS)? Our new one-pager outlines what S-CAS is, how the referral pathway works, and how survivors can connect with support. Designed for both victim service providers and community members, we invite you to use this resource to help expand access to trauma-informed services and housing options for our community.

More Than 9 Million People Could Be at Risk of Homelessness: New Analysis & Interactive Tool

More than 9 million people receive housing assistance through rental assistance programs (Public Housing, Section 8, Section 202, Section 811, and Housing Choice Vouchers.) run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A new snapshot from the National Alliance to End Homelessness examines the potential impact of eliminating these critical programs. While the Alliance does not anticipate such dramatic cuts, the data is clear: any cuts to these important programs will result in people losing their current housing, placing them at risk of homelessness.