FIRST STEP HOUSING

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HAS ESTABLISHED THE HOUSING FIRST MODEL CALLING FOR HOUSING CLIENTS FIRST AND PROVIDING WRAP AROUND SERVICES. THE HUD RECOMMENDED EMPHASIS REMAINS PLACING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN PERMANENT HOUSING AND COORDINATING ACCESS TO REQUIRED SERVICES. FIRST STEP COMMUNITIES (FSC) CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE HUD MODEL AND ENDEAVORS TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE PRACTICAL APPLICATION. UNFORTUNATELY, THE GAP BETWEEN SECURED FUNDING FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE DEMAND PERSISTED AGAIN THROUGH 2023. THE OVERALL MISSION OF FIRST STEP COMMUNITIES CONTINUES TO BE TO PROVIDE LOW BARRIER SHELTER AND SERVICES TO THIS VULNERABLE HOMELESS POPULATION. IN DOING THIS, FSC AND ITS NUMEROUS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS WILL HELP THE TARGET GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE INTERIM SERVICES PROVIDED. OUR DESIRED OUTCOME REMAINS TO PREPARE THIS POPULATION FOR REHOUSING PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH THE HOUSING FIRST MODEL AND PRIORITIZE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO PERMANENT HOUSING. ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2023 INCLUDE:FSC EMPHASIS AND GROWTH DURING 2023 FOCUSED ON EXPANDING COLLABORATIVE SERVICES AND PURSUING ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASED SHELTERING PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, AN ONGOING EFFORT REMAINED TO KEEP ALL CLIENTS, A MAJORITY MEDICALLY VULNERABLE, SAFE FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE LINGERING PANDEMIC OUTBREAKS AND PROVIDING IMPROVED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE. FSC HAS INCREASED ITS EMPHASIS ON BRINGING SHELTER AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES MODELS TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE GROWING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CRISIS. AT THE NORTH A STREET CAMPUS, BRINGING IN ADDITIONAL COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND DEVELOPING IN-HOUSE TRAINING WORKSHOPS CONTINUED TO BE A PRIORITY. FSC CONDUCTED OUR FIRST FSC HEALTH FAIR DURING 2023 AND INCLUDED TWO DOZEN COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS INCLUDING NONPROFITS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. FSC ADMINISTERED THE HEALTH FAIR OUR NORTH A STREET CAMPUS IN THE RIVER DISTRICT, TARGETING CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SHELTER AND LIVING ON THE STREETS OF THE RIVER DISTRICT. FSC ALSO STARTED A PARTNERSHIP WITH UC DAVIS, BRINGING THE WILLOW CLINIC TO THE NORTH A STREET CAMPUS, WHO ADMINISTER A WEEKLY FREE CLINIC ON SITE PROVIDING PRIMARY HEALTHCARE, OBGYN, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT.AT THE GROVE - EMERGENCY BRIDGE HOUSING FOR TRANSITION AGE YOUTH, STAFF DEVELOPED PLANS EXPANDING THE SITE FROM 24 CABINS TO 50. THIS SECOND PHASE AT THE GROVE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT ISSUE AND THE EXPANDED SITE VERY QUICKLY FILLED. A PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFE PRACTICES BROUGHT INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY TO THE GROVE CLIENTS AND DATA GATHERED QUICKLY DEMONSTRATED A DOUBLING OF THE PERCENTAGE OF CLIENTS ACHIEVING PERMANENT HOUSING OUTCOMES AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THERAPY SESSIONS. AT THE SAFEGROUND SACRAMENTO FACILITY, THE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN THE MILLER PARK LOCATION AFTER STORMS HAD PREVIOUSLY FORCED THE CLOSING OF THE SITE AND A TEMPORARY MOVE TO CAL EXPO. THIS TEMPORARY SANCTIONED TENT ENCAMPMENT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING TO FILL LONG-TERM, PERMANENT SHELTERS IN THE VICINITY. DURING 2023, FSC EFFORTS TO HELP THE COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO ESTABLISH AN ONGOING WEATHER DRIVEN SOLUTION RESULTED IN THE WEATHER RESPITE PROGRAM AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A BRANCH CENTER ROAD SITE OPERATING 24 HOURS PER DAY DURING WEATHER EXTREMES. AT ALL FSC FACILITIES EXCEPT THE WEATHER RESPITE PROGRAM, WE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A 24-HOUR X 365 PROGRAMS WITH SHELTER, CASE MANAGEMENT AND EXTENSIVE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS SUPPLEMENTING FSC SERVICES. ALL SITES PROVIDE MEALS, SHOWERS, AND SANITATION.