Sacremento Self Help Housing

Seth

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

5 Years Later

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.

Welcome Home Gus and June

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!

"Don't Be Afraid To Smile"

Meet Bud. Bud grew up in Arden Arcade, and found himself homeless and hopeless following his mother's death. After 6 years on the street, he found his dog Emily and not soon after Sacramento Self-Help Housing. Bud found Emily, or Emily found Bud as he sees it, the night he contemplated suicide. Since his outlook on life has changed for the better.

"Don't be afraid to smile," Bud said, holding up his journal as I snapped the picture. Bud keeps a record of everyone that has ever helped him. And now that he's found stable housing, he's looking forward to spending more time saying thank you.

Bud is part of our Permanent Supportive Housing Program. To learn more about this program. Check out the webpage here.

Bud

A Birthday to Remember

Meet Lissa. July 22nd is her birthday. This year, Lissa has a lot to celebrate now that she has a roof over her head and a bed to sleep on thanks to her hard work and SSHH's partnership with the Sacramento County - Government. After 2 years of living on the street and over 10 years of heroin addiction, she decided enough was enough and responded to the Sacramento Park Rangers prescription to receive treatment for her addiction and work with our staff to find housing. Good luck Lissa, and enjoy your birthday in your new home!

lissa

"I really missed cutting the lawn."

After a falling out with her family, Logan was left with nothing but a few possessions and her yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Following a lifetime of economic security, Logan was now homeless.

For three years Logan slept in her car in the Fulton Avenue 24 Hour Fitness parking lot. Thankfully, she found Carmichael HART.

Logan attended Carmichael HART’s Winter Shelter for almost two full seasons until she built up the confidence to work with Scott Young, the Carmichael Homeless Outreach Navigator and President of Carmichael HART, to locate housing.

After a few months of searching for the right place, Logan made a connection with a friend at the gym looking for a housemate. With support from Scott and the Carmichael Community, Logan now has her own room in a beautiful house in Carmichael.

She couldn’t be happier.

“It took some time, but I finally found a place that fit me. I love picking flowers, and really missed cutting the law.”

Logan can be found tending to her rose garden, reading on the front porch, or volunteering with Carmichael HART.

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