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April Highlights:
In this month's newsletter, learn about the new data dashboard, note the tentative dates for the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, register for upcoming provider trainings, learn about a Request for Quotations for a new mobile app, better understand the Survivor Coordinated Access System, and much more.
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For those of us working to resolve homelessness, data is more than numbers—it’s a way to tell the story of homelessness in our community. The more we understand about circumstances that lead to people experiencing homelessness, the better we can respond with meaningful solutions. That’s why I’d like to showcase a new tool that is helping us see the full picture more clearly: The State of Homelessness Dashboard.
At Sacramento Steps Forward, (SSF), we are committed to using data to drive change. By aggregating and visualizing homelessness trends, the dashboard allows providers, policymakers, and the broader community to see where and when progress is being made, and, also, where we need to focus our efforts.
One of the biggest challenges to developing an effective homelessness response system is accurately capturing the full scope of those experiencing homelessness. Many individuals may not utilize traditional shelters, while others might move between various housing circumstances and unsheltered situations. By gathering and analyzing information, we can identify how services are used and where more support is needed.
This is where collaboration becomes essential. We need to work with providers, outreach teams, and local agencies to ensure that the data isn’t just numbers—it's a tool for action. If our data is inaccurate, our solutions will be incomplete. That’s why this dashboard tracks numbers and, also, helps the community refine outreach strategies, improve service access, and better understand where interventions are most needed.
The work doesn’t stop here. Moving forward, we will be:
- Expanding the dashboard to include demographic details (such as families, youth, veterans, and chronic homelessness).
- Providing informative data analyses as trends and anomalies appear over time.
- Continuing to support providers in reporting accurate, up-to-date data through additional training and written guides.
- Building on past data-driven collaboration and progress to strengthen our approach and create more impactful solutions.
As someone who works closely with data about our community every day, I have seen firsthand how access to the right information can drive better solutions. This dashboard represents a major step toward a more transparent, strategic, and effective response to homelessness.
With deep gratitude,
Aziz Bilotta-Connors
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Continuum of Care April Meetings
Discover more about the CoC and its committees by joining upcoming public meetings. Information on the meeting date, time, format, and agenda is under each committee's "Meeting Details" tab.
- Apr. 10: HMIS & Data Committee
- Apr. 16: Racial Equity Committee
- Apr. 17: Point-in-Time Count Committee
- Apr. 22: Project Review Committee
- Apr. 24: System Performance Committee
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Upcoming Provider Trainings
Join the 2025 CAS (Coordinated Access System) Assessor Training Spring Series to build essential skills in social work and homelessness response. This seven-session series, designed for new CAS Assessors, runs every Tuesday from May 6–June 17 and covers CAS fundamentals, implicit bias, trauma-informed care, and more. Additionally, registration is open for the Housing Problem-Solving Training, June 11–13. Questions? Contact trainings@sacstepsforward.org.
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Frontline Learning Collaborative Meeting
Mark your calendars for the next Frontline Learning Collaborative session on Thursday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center. We will be welcoming a guest speaker from My Time Movement, a local nonprofit working to prevent youth homelessness.
This is a great opportunity for frontline staff to connect, learn, and grow together.
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Registration Open: 2025 National Conference on Ending Homelessness
The 2025 National Alliance to End Homelessness conference is happening June 30–July 2 in Washington D.C. This event will bring together service providers, system leaders, advocates, and people with lived experience of homelessness to learn from each other, discuss best practices, and share new innovations in the field. This year’s conference will include new session formats – including advocacy-focused trainings, interactive skill-building workshops, and deep-dive strategy sessions. Volunteer opportunities and scholarships are available.
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Planning Underway for the 2026 Unsheltered Count
Sacramento Steps Forward is preparing for the next Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, tentatively scheduled for Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27 of 2026. We aim to offer multiple deployment locations for volunteers. Dates are subject to slight shifts but will remain within HUD’s deadline of completion by January 31. Want to stay up-to-date with the latest news and opportunities to be part of the count? Sign up below.
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RFQ Open: Help Build a Mobile App for TAY Support
Sacramento Steps Forward, with the Youth Action Board (YAB), is leading an exciting initiative to support Transitional Age Youth (TAY) experiencing homelessness or at risk in our community. With HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) funding, we’re developing a mobile app to help TAY easily connect with resources and support. We have officially released a Request for Quotations (RFQ), seeking an off-the-shelf software solution to adapt to our community's needs.
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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.
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Closing the Gaps: How Targeted Investments Can Reduce Homelessness
Sacramento Steps Forward has completed the 2024 Gaps Analysis, offering a critical look at the strengths and opportunities to improve our homelessness response system. This assessment identifies key areas where targeted investments—especially in prevention, diversion, and rehousing—could have the greatest impact. The findings suggest that, with near-term action and a sustained commitment to affordable housing, Sacramento could eliminate unsheltered homelessness within five years and cut total homelessness by 53% over the next decade. By using these insights to guide funding and program decisions, we can build a stronger, more effective system that truly meets our community’s needs.
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Housing Solutions Taking Shape Across Sacramento
Sacramento County recently shared a biannual update on its homelessness response, highlighting outreach, shelter, and behavioral health services. July–December 2024, County teams engaged 810 individuals, delivering over 25,000 services, with 184 people transitioning out of unsheltered homelessness. These efforts reflect the County’s critical role in our region’s broader approach, including the Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan (RCHAP).
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How the Coordinated Access System Helped in 2024
Sacramento's Coordinated Access System (CAS) is our community's door to homelessness and housing services. In 2024, it helped to connect 73,890 people to resources. Alongside these efforts, 840 households were prevented from experiencing homelessness, 2,734 people found shelter, and 1,518 moved into housing. To access help through CAS, call 2-1-1 and press 8.
In March 2025, progress continued with Powell’s Landing (69 units) finalizing applications ahead of its April 8 move-in date, while Hope Landing (122 units for seniors) welcomed its first residents starting March 25. Both communities provide permanent housing with on-site support through partnerships with Hope Cooperative, El Hogar SEWP, and Adult Protective Services. Additionally, the Pardes Project in Elk Grove (opening June 2025) will expand affordable housing options. If you are a service provider looking to learn more, we welcome you to attend our weekly office hours on Mondays. Email referrals@sacstepsforward.org for details.
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Learning About Behavioral Health and Homelessness
Two recent webinars share the importance of the intersection between behavioral health and homelessness. The UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative hosted Behavioral Health & Homelessness: Findings from CASPEH, featuring former Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and other experts discussing mental health, substance use, and policy solutions from the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness.
Additionally the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) held the Sacramento Briefing: CalAIM Housing Community Supports, highlighting how Medi-Cal’s CalAIM initiative helps people move from homelessness to housing. Experts explored the impact of housing supports and ways to strengthen partnerships across health and housing systems.
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Make a Difference on Big Day of Giving
Sacramento’s homelessness response providers are working every day to connect people with housing, services, and support—but they can’t do it alone. As Big Day of Giving approaches, your support can help ensure more people have a place to call home.
Give today to strengthen our community and make a difference for our neighbors in need!
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NLIHC Releases The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes
The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) released its annual report, The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, highlighting a 7.1 million-unit shortage of affordable rental homes for the lowest-income renters in the U.S. The report underscores the urgent need for sustained federal investment in affordable housing. Expanding affordable housing, bridging income and rent gaps, and providing emergency rental assistance remain critical to addressing the crisis.
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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.
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Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion and Development (CITED) Application
The PATH CITED Round 4 application deadline has been extended to May 2, 2025. This funding supports community-based organizations, hospitals, county agencies, and others in expanding Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports under Medi-Cal.
Applicants seeking funding for Transitional Rent must submit a County Behavioral Health Department support letter with their application. Office hours webinars are available throughout April for assistance.
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Join the Sacramento Steps Forward Team!
Sacramento Steps Forward currently has one position open: Project Manager.
If you or someone you know may be interested, please use the link below to learn more, share information, and/or apply.
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