The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 went into effect on March 11th, 2021. It provided 1.9 trillion dollars in funding to curb the impact of COVID-19 and the associated economic recession. 5 billion went to 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers nationwide. 494 of which came to Sacramento and were distributed between nonprofit partners like Sacramento Self-Help Housing. Luckily, the emergency vouchers went to support well-qualified program participants of SSHH’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH). Participants like Alice.
Alice was homeless for 3 years before moving into PSH. As a general model, Permanent Supportive Housing is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of the chronically unhoused. In Sacramento, SSHH’s PSH program is funded through The Department of Housing and Urban Development and is only one of the many resources available to the unhoused.
“Alice is the best resident I’ve ever had. She helped me around the house and was never a problem.” Says PSH House Leader Sapphire. Sapphire’s incredible story can be read here!
When SSHH got wind of the EHV’s given to PSH, Alice was an obvious choice to move on to independent living. Alice and her partner Carlos have lived in SSHH’s program for almost a year. She is recovering from a stroke and other health-related issues which, ultimately, caused her homelessness. When she found out about the voucher, Alice immediately started looking for housing. When her case manager arrived for their weekly meeting, Alice presented a list of potential apartments within her qualifications and price range. “I’m ready to have my own place!”
Mind you, PSH case managers look to curb the impact of, oftentimes, years of homelessness and physical and mental health deterioration from living on the street. The presenting of the list and the excitement to move into her own place, was a sign of good things to come - that Alice was ready to move out of PSH.
Alice is set to move into her own apartment at the end of October. Though nervous to live on her own, she’s ready to take the next step.