Sacramento County Invests $16M in Homeless Housing and Mental Health
Sacramento County is making a substantial commitment to addressing homelessness and mental health needs within its community. Supervisors recently approved a new $16.38 million program designed to integrate mental health-focused housing with culturally defined, community-led wellness services for unhoused residents. This innovative approach aims to tackle persistent challenges in areas with the highest concentration of people experiencing homelessness.
A New Approach: The Unhoused Individuals INN Project
The core of this initiative is the “Unhoused Individuals INN Project,” a strategy to provide long-term mental health support and expand outreach to those who frequently cycle through homelessness. The program will significantly boost the county’s peer workforce, embedding clinicians and peer specialists directly with community groups. The goal is to establish housing supports that are deeply rooted in culturally defined wellness practices, making care more accessible and encouraging transitions into stable housing.
Funding and Strategic Implementation
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a pooled contract authority of $16,380,000 for this vital effort, with agreements extending through June 30, 2029. This pooled setup is designed to accelerate the launch of multiple program sites and partner projects across the county. Funding will primarily come from the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63), supplemented by Medi-Cal funding and administrative Medi-Cal activities. This allows the county to pilot community-driven models that test culturally specific wellness approaches while strengthening housing connections over a five-year period.
Why This Program is Crucial for Sacramento
Advocates and county officials highlight the urgent need for this program, citing significant mental health needs among the unhoused population. The 2024 Point in Time count estimated approximately 6,615 people experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County, with over 2,000 individuals reported to have a serious mental health condition. By combining housing with integrated mental health services, the county hopes to effectively reach residents who have historically been reluctant to engage with traditional clinic-based services. Supporters anticipate this will reduce crisis calls and decrease the duration people spend unsheltered.
Key Program Goals
- Deliver long-term mental health services.
- Expand outreach to those repeatedly experiencing homelessness.
- Grow the county’s peer support workforce.
- Co-locate clinicians and peer specialists with community groups.
- Build housing supports centered on culturally defined wellness practices.
Timeline and What’s Next
With the contract authority now approved, county staff can begin executing agreements with community partners and initiating program sites in the coming months. The five-year window, lasting until June 30, 2029, allows Sacramento County ample time to operate, assess, and refine the initiative. Officials will collaborate closely with local housing agencies and nonprofit providers to identify suitable locations and prepare requests for proposals. The program, placed on the Health Services consent calendar, is set to move forward as soon as contracts are finalized.
FAQs About the New Homeless Housing Initiative
- What is the new program called?
It’s officially called the “Community Defined Wellness Practices Program,” with the initiative for housing and services referred to as the “Unhoused Individuals INN Project.” - How much money is Sacramento County investing?
The county has locked in $16.38 million for this effort. - What is the main goal of this initiative?
To pair housing with culturally defined, community-led mental health and wellness services for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with serious mental health conditions. - Where does the funding come from?
Primarily from the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63), along with Medi-Cal funding. - How long will the program run?
Agreements are set through June 30, 2029, providing a five-year operational and assessment period.
This plan isn’t presented as a complete solution, but rather a crucial test for Sacramento: can hyper-local, culturally sensitive wellness practices, directly linked to housing, foster long-term stability for our chronically unhoused neighbors? Local organizations and advocates will be closely watching the rollout of contracts and the real-world impact on reducing emergency incidents and securing lasting placements.
Sacramento County Boosts Homeless Mental Health
