Sacramento County and City are working together with generous donors to coordinate winter shelter services for the homeless.

“It’s imperative that the County, City and private interests work together to maximize available resources in preparation for winter shelter needs,” said County Supervisor Phil Serna. “We hope that individuals, businesses, labor organizations and others will continue to donate, volunteer and otherwise support the efforts of our shelter providers and our local faith community.”

At last night’s Sacramento City Council meeting, the City Council approved $100,000 for the homeless motel voucher program. In addition, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, which serves both the County and City, will target funds of approximately $100,000 to families or individuals in shelters which will provide additional capacity in the existing shelter system. This is in addition to the $150,000 the County has identified for emergency winter shelter for families.

Private and public resources continue to be identified and winter shelter services are being coordinated with Sacramento Steps Forward, a non-profit organization that will lead the homeless continuum of care for Sacramento County, Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and other partners.

County Supervisor Phil Serna is again working with labor organizations and local business interests to raise funds for winter shelter. Thus far approximately $40,000 has been contributed directly to Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center for motel/hotel vouchers, Volunteers of America for the Winter Sanctuary program, St. John’s Shelter for Women & Children, and Cottage Housing. This is in addition to a fundraising effort that occurred last February to extend Winter Sanctuary and provide additional beds at the Salvation Army.

Winter Shelter Services consist of the following:
• Shelter beds for families provided by Volunteers of America and Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center
• Motel/hotel vouchers for homeless families, people with disabilities and the elderly
• Winter Sanctuary, an interfaith program run by Volunteers of America provides nightly shelter, meals and transportation for up to 100 homeless people at 20 places of worship throughout Sacramento. This program is supported solely by private donations.

Donations for winter shelter can be made to Sacramento Steps Forward at http://sacramentostepsforward.org/ or mail your check to:
Sacramento Steps Forward
1331 Garden Highway, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95833