Sobrato Center for Nonprofits 507 Valley Way Milpitas, CA 95035 (408) 539-2100 [email protected] www.HomeFirstSCC.org A leader in serving the homeless in Santa Clara County In nearly 35 years of working with the homeless, we’ve learned that everyone has the potential to get housed and stay housed. We are relentlessly focused on eliminating barriers to housing and stability for everyone we serve, which includes more than 5,600 adults, veterans, families, and youth each year. HOMELESSNESS IS AT CRISIS LEVELS On any given night, more than 7,600 people in Santa Clara County are homeless. We now have the nation’s seventh-highest homeless population and the fourth-highest chronically (long-term) homeless population. There are hundreds of encampments along creek beds and other waterways in San Jose alone, where thousands of people live in unsafe conditions. WE HAVE THE SOLUTION HomeFirst helps people find and keep long-term, stable housing. We focus on successful “Housing First” strategies where we get people into their own homes as quickly as possible and then support them so they can stay housed permanently. Using this approach with our local partners, we’ve helped house hundreds of people who were at risk of dying on the streets. Andy is a double-amputee and was very ill when we helped him and his partner leave a San Jose encampment for an apartment. Photos courtesy of Housing 1000. To make Housing First more effective, however, this community needs to increase its stock of affordable housing. Extremely high rents and very low vacancy rates are a major reason homeless people remain on the streets in Silicon Valley. ALL OF US CAN HELP We are not powerless in this crisis. All of us can play a part in ending homelessness. Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative, creative, and generous people in the world. We can do this! continued on other side WE ARE MAKING AN IMPACT • Formerly EHC LifeBuilders, HomeFirst has been helping the homeless in Santa Clara County since 1980. We serve individuals, veterans, families with children, and youth. • Our Boccardo Reception Center is the largest homeless service center in Santa Clara County. It provides shelter and transitional housing, mental health counseling, housing search services, comprehensive programs for homeless veterans, and a medical clinic. • We have the county’s largest homeless outreach team, including a specialist in outreach to homeless veterans. • For nearly 30 years, we have provided cold weather shelter to homeless individuals in Santa Clara County from December through March. • Our two family living centers in Santa Clara and San Martin provide housing and services for homeless families. • We operate a shelter for foster youth and assist youth living in the community who have aged out of the foster care system. WITH YOUR HELP, PEOPLE DON’T HAVE TO CONTINUE DYING ON THE STREETS • Visit www.HomeFirstSCC.org to learn more about homelessness in Silicon Valley. • Get regular news and updates by signing up for our email list and newsletter mailing list. Contact Xian Ballesteros, [email protected]. • Contribute financially and consider registering us for your employer matching program. Go to www.homefirstscc.org/donate-today for donation and matching gift information. • Volunteer at our shelters or family centers, or in our kitchen. Contact Elizabeth Griswold, [email protected]. • Bring in-kind donations for our clients. Check our wish list at www.homefirstscc.org/wish-list. JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE Follow WHHS on HomeFirst Facebook & Services Twitter Follow WHHS on Facebook & Twitter HomeFirstSCC HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County HomeFirstSCC ©2014, 2015 HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County www.HomeFirstSCC.org EHC LifeBuilders