Sacramento Steps Forward

Lead Community-wide Planning & Engagement COORDINATED A REGIONAL PLAN TO RESOLVE HOMELESSNESS:The Sacramento Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) was laaunched in 2022. Sacramento Steps Forward spearheaded this initiative in collaboration with the Sacramento City and County Continuum of Care, Sacramento County, City of Sacramento, and Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. The plan fostered a unified, cross-jurisdictional approach to tackling homelessness throughout Sacramento County. Together, we convened a diverse group of community leaders and stakeholders representing various interests to develop an actionable, relatable plan that serves as a roadmap for future funding and initiatives. In early 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward coordinated a series of public conversations and sector-specific meetings to prepare for Sacramentos fifth application to Californias Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program. IMPACT: The All In Regionally Coordinated Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Framework for implementing 8 core solutions among regional partners. $53.2 million in state HHAP-5 funding.MANAGED THE WORK OF THE CONTINUUM OF CARE:In serving as the Continuum of Care (CoC) agency for Sacramento, we coordinate and support all aspects of this Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) responsibility. Launched in 2012, the CoC Program is designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness and provide the services needed to help such individuals move into transitional and permanent housing, with the goal of long-term stability.As the lead agency for the Continuum of Care (CoC), Sacramento Steps Forward brings together system partners, aligns strategies, and manages the federal funding that supports our regions homelessness response. The CoC Board includes more than 20 volunteer community leaders and ten standing committees. Addtionally, in this role, we serve as the Collaborative Funding Applicant for federal and state funds, lead agency for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and operator of the Coordinated Access System. IMPACT: $40.5 million in FY24 funding for 36 different projects in the community. Annual meeting that brought together more than 150 community members to identify shared priorities for the year ahead. Monthly public meetings that coordinate diverse voices to planning for homelessness response. IDENTIFIED SYSTEM NEEDS THROUGH A GAPS ANALYSIS:In 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward conducted a gaps analysis on behalf of regional partners to better understand what it would take to fully meet the communitys capacity to prevent and resolve homelessness. This assessment is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive federal funding. IMPACT: The model shows that our region could eliminate unsheltered homelessness within five years and reduce overall homelessness by 53% within ten years if there was immediate expansion of prevention, diversion, and rehousing services, combined with a long-term commitment to increasing affordable housing.

Collect, Process & Share DataLAUNCHED NEW TOOLS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HOMELESSNESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM:As the lead agency for the Continuum of Cares Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), Sacramento Steps Forward continued to strengthen the quality, accessibility, and transparency of data. HMIS is a foundational tool (mandated for Continuum of Care agencies to receive federal funding) for the homelessness response system. The integrity of the information that is logged correlates to the capacity of our system to be responsive and plan for community services. The HMIS also facilitates collaboration among community agencies which enables service coordination, trend identification, and system improvements. IMPACT: Fulfilled all federal reporting requirements, including the Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA), Point-in-Time Count (PIT), Housing Inventory Count (HIC), and System Performance Measures (SPM). Provided ongoing technical support to approximately 1,200 service provider staff serving more than 100 organizations. ORGANIZED THE BIANNUAL POINT-IN-TIME COUNT AND ANALYSIS:In early 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward led the regions biannual unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The count is a federally required assessment of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and a critical tool for guiding policy, aligning strategies, and securing funding. IMPACT: Rallied hundreds of community volunteers, service providers, and partner organizations. Sparked media coverage and public education on homelessness. Provided point-in-time data showing a reduction of 29% in unsheltered homelessness.IMPLEMENTED A NEW ASSESSMENT TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF CLIENT VULNERABILITY:In 2024, the Continuum of Care (CoC) approved the Housing Conversation Tool (HCT) as the new, standardized Housing assessment for all programs managed through the Coordinated Access System (CAS). Frontline outreach staff began using the evaluation in October 2024. IMPACT: A means to understand vulnerability and social, health, and behavioral needs. A framework to build Individualized Service Plans (ISP). Implemented in tandem with a three-part training series for staff.

Improve Equity, Fairness, Efficiency & EffectivenessConvened the Partners with Lived Experience Committee:The Partners with Lived Experience Committee (PWLEC) advises the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC) by sharing personal insights to improve how the system serves people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Members act as a voice for the unhoused community, helping to identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities across all system efforts. The PWLEC has been instrumental in designing and proposing solutions to the challenges identified via various committees, projects, work groups, and other system efforts. In 2024, PWLEC members led quarterly Housing Problem Solving trainings for providers, participated in the NOFO review and rank process, and contributed to the development of the Housing Conversation Tool.Established Community-Wide Standards:Sacramento Continuum of Care, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency established community-wide standards for publicly funded programs addressing homelessness in Sacramento. These standards, published in December 2023, were developed through collaborative efforts shaped by community feedback and adopted by the Sacramento Continuum of Care following a vote among diverse board members. In 2024, Community Standards were incorporated into City, County, and CoC funding contracts. SSF hosted orientations to help providers understand and apply the standards in their program operations, and also gained provider feedback that helped inform the methodology for tracking performance outcomes. SSF will continue to collaborate with system partners to review and update the standards and will publish regular Community Standards Key Performance Indicator Reports to share progress and promote accountability.Facilitated Homeless & Healthcare Integration through CalAIM:The Housing and Homeless Incentive Program (HHIP) has been a tremendous lever for relationship building and engagement with our MCP partners, Sacramento County, and CalAIM providers. SSF is not a direct provider of CalAIM services but plays a critical role in helping our CoC understand CalAIM services, building local capacity of CalAIM services for people experiencing homelessness, and integrating these services and supports into local homeless response via the Coordinated Access System. In 2024, SSF hosted a CalAIM Housing Workgroup series in partnership with Transform Health focused on building provider and client resource guides for CalAIM Community Support services. SSF also partnered with MCPs to increase HMIS access among CalAIM providers and bring in CalAIM providers for CAS referrals.IMPLEMENTED A ROBUST FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS:Case conferencing focuses on a particular set of vulnerable clients who have long histories of homelessness. Facilitated by our team at Sacramento Steps Forward, case conferencinggroups challenge both individual and systemic barriers, while also encouraging providers to show up with creativity and accountability. IMPACT:Supported 560 households. 253 households transitioned into housing of some type. 107 households were connected to ongoing mental health programs and primary care providers.

Manage Funding & ComplianceSECURED $40.5M IN FEDERAL CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDING:In our role as the lead agency for the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC), we play a crucial role in overseeing the federal funding process, from initial application to ongoing monitoring, compliance, and reporting. We lead an extensive public process within the CoC to identify eligible housing activities and projects for funding. Once selections are made, our team collaborates closely with chosen agencies and projects to ensure strict adherence to funding regulations, providing guidance on proper fund use and helping to report on these investments outcomes. Our objective is to fulfill our HUD-mandated responsibilities while ensuring that projects are executed with maximum efficiency and impact. Sacramento Steps Forward, as the lead agency for the regions Continuum of Care, manages the extensive application process, sub-recipient contracting process, program monitoring, and reporting for annual federal funding. In 2024, the Sacramento CoC was awarded $40,485,239 by HUD, an increase of approximately $7 million from FY 2023. IMPACT: 2,281 Permanent Supportive Housing beds (1,427 dedicated units); 133 Rapid Re-Housing beds (84 dedicated units); 136 Transitional HousingRapid Re-Housing beds (78 dedicated units); Infrastructure support for the HMIS, coordinated entry services, and planning grant activities.PARTNERED TO SECURE THE $53.2M AWARD OF STATE HHAP FUNDING:Our role as the CoC lead agency also places SSF at the forefront of funding management for state and local awards and contracts. The Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) series of funding opportunities through the State of California has provided the funds for many of the system improvement in the accomplishments listed earlier. Our committed staff ensures that these funds are utilized effectively, with integrity, and to achieve maximum impact. In early 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward partnered with the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency on our regions fifth consecutive application for Californias Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant funding. IMPACT: $53.2 million for Sacramentos homelessness response systm. Approximately 75% directed to clients through community-based service providers. Approximately 25% for critical functions like staffing, coordination, and evaluation.