Tiffany was born into a difficult family. She rarely got along with her sisters and parents, which persisted into her mental health issues. In adulthood, she started down the wrong path. She began a life in and out of jail, driven by the next fix. Drugs were her only escape.

After 10 years of marriage and three children, Tiffany got divorced. While using, she was unable to handle the responsibilities of normal life, and her relationship went downhill. The low was hit when Tiffany’s mother called the police on her daughter for using. She was a danger to her mother, a danger to herself - and Tiffany agreed.

This time, Tiffany’s 3-month stay in prison was the turning point. Because she was homeless, Tiffany qualified for a housing program after she served her time, so long as she stayed clean and followed the rules. She said, the promise of permanent housing and the potential to have her own oasis away from drugs and abuse was enough to motivate her to stay clean and progress to a life she deemed worth living.

After being released from prison early, Tiffany moved into transitional housing. Here, she began taking anger management classes and attending weekly therapy sessions. Last January, Tiffany celebrated 2 years sober and moved into her own apartment, thanks to help from her Wellspace Case Manager and SSHH’s Property Related Tenants Services Program (PRTS). Tiffany is currently permanently housed in SSHH’s PRTS program.

Tiffany is now working towards her goals of purchasing a car and finding full-time work. She is looking forward to being off of probation in April 2021. October update - Tiffany is now working full-time with the local school district! Way to go Tiffany!

Meet Seth.

There is a certain number of our unhoused community that has fallen on hard times and find themselves “one step away” from a new life back on track. According to our outreach navigators, ⅓ of our current cases fall into this “one step away” demographic. This step can consist simply of a security deposit, help on a rental application, a mental health care appointment, or a connection with a social worker that instills a level of confidence to get going. The latter, the connection with our Citrus Heights Navigator Toni, is exactly what helped Seth get his life back on track. 

Seth started using at age 7. This led to more than a decade of abuse, wandering, trouble with the law, unstable housing, and the general difficulty of getting his life straightened out. A few years ago he moved back to California to be closer to his mother.

Once he moved back to California, hoping to start anew, the troubles from his previous life loomed and prevented him from moving forward. The cycle of homelessness seemed insurmountable. Permanent housing, a fulltime job, and a normal life seemed out of reach until he got connected with the SSHH Navigator Toni. 

And the turning point. Seth decided to enroll in a 21-day BAART program. Then, from there, Toni and Seth made the mutual decision to move Seth into Grace House, a transitional house for those in recovery. For the first time in a long time, he felt the structure of normal life building a foundation and the cycle of homelessness peeling away. 

After his stay at Grace House, Seth moved into Next Step Transitional Housing. Here, now comfortable and confident, Toni worked with Seth on applying for jobs, getting his driver's license, and creating action plans for setting him up for success.  

Seth is now an employee of SSHH. He began working as a housing locator a month ago. His job, appropriately, is to assist our program participants with navigating the complexities of social assistance programs and the rental housing market. “What can I do today to better myself and others,” is his mantra. I can’t think of anyone more qualified to assist our clients than Seth. Good luck to you Seth! And congratulations on all that you’ve accomplished. 

Seth is also an incredible photographer. Check out his work here: www.sethmlanderfelt.com

SSHH first met Susan in 2009. She entered our Permanent Supportive Housing Program after stays with the Salvation Army and New Star Recovery Home. "I lived on the street for almost 10 years." She said. "I had two cars impounded during that time, it made sleeping and making money difficult."

Following 6 years in our program, her case managers Annie and Tahiri (now SSHH Director of Operations and SSHH Rental Property Director) helped her apply for subsidized housing through the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA). They waited patiently until her name came up on the list, they got a response. A one-bedroom apartment all to her self.

Today, Susan will soon be celebrating 5 years of permanent housing thanks to her perseverance and the awesome work of our staff. She loves her apartment and can be found hosting potlucks with the neighbors, playing billiards with her grandchild, and reading. 

Gus and June are now happily living in their own apartment with their cat Gabbi. After 3 months in our county-funded scattered-site emergency shelter program, Gus and June are focused on the future.

What's next for Gus and June? Well, they are getting ready to finance a car. 

Gus and June successfully transitioned from homelessness to permanent housing for a few reasons.

First, they worked with our case managers to overcome barriers to permanent housing. Everyone needs an ID to apply for housing. SSHH caseworkers helped them get a free ID from the DMV so to meet rental application requirements

Second, June signed up for SSI and saved in our program. The scattered-sight program does not charge its clients rents. Rather, it demands that program participants prepare for living independently and sustainable. In this case, Gus and June saved for the upcoming security deposit and first and last month's rent and a car so Gus can get back to work.  

In terms of transitioning the recently homeless into a life of sustainable, independent, safe, and affordable permanent housing, our county funded scattered-site program offers a number of significant advantaged. Find out more here!