SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The State Department of Health Care Services announced that Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) will be awarded more than $43 million in Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) funds to support its continued efforts to address homelessness and improve the lives of individuals living with serious mental illness and experiencing housing instability. With the award of this State funding, County BHS is set to expand interim housing options as an important resource along the continuum to permanent supportive housing to accommodate the growing need for supportive housing and mental health services.

The BHBH award will enable Sacramento County BHS to expand interim housing by adding 110 beds across three Safe Stay communities. This County-sanctioned bridge housing will provide individuals experiencing homelessness with a safe and supportive environment to stabilize their health and safety. Additionally, the funding will facilitate the development or renovation of shovel-ready projects for another 100 beds, including renovated hotels, board and care homes, and sober living facilities. These clean and well-maintained sites will offer on-site supportive services to help individuals transition towards permanent housing.

Bridge housing funds will support individuals in the target population of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act who are experiencing homelessness, have serious mental illness, and/or substance use disorder. The range of services provided will encompass care coordination to enhance both mental and physical well-being, the development of essential life skills, the promotion of income growth, and the facilitation of vocational/educational opportunities and skills. The ultimate objective is to assist participants in transitioning to permanent housing within a nine-month timeframe.

To provide holistic care, Behavioral Health collaborates with various county agencies such as Primary Care for medical support, the Department of Human Assistance (DHA) for benefits, Managed Care Providers for Enhanced Care Management (ECM), and additional linkages to enhance the provision of services. These collaborations ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness receive the necessary support and resources to improve their overall well-being.

“Through the power of compassion and investment, the $43 million bridge housing award to Sacramento County is a significant step in transforming lives and communities,” says Sacramento County Behavioral Health Director Dr. Ryan Quist. “This funding will help behavioral health expand comprehensive bridge-housing supports for those in need.”

To address the diverse needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, a phased approach will be adopted for individuals entering the program. New participants will enter Safe Stay beds, sober living facilities, or board and care homes to stabilize their health and safety and determine eligibility for housing programs. Once stable, they will move to other BHBH interim beds, where they will receive life skills training and housing navigation services. Finally, participants ready for permanent housing will receive intensive housing navigation services, utilizing rental assistance funds from the grant, to secure and transition into stable housing.

The $43 million BHBH award to Sacramento County is another significant step towards addressing homelessness and providing vital support to individuals living with serious mental illness and experiencing housing instability. With expanded interim housing options and comprehensive services, this funding has the potential to transform lives and create lasting positive change within the community.