The American River Parkway (ARP) Scattered Site Interim Shelter Program

The County of Sacramento Department of Homeless Services and Housing (DHSH) is seeking applications from qualified agencies (“Provider”) interested in operating a scattered site interim shelter program for persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the ARP, known as the ARP Scattered Site Program. The program will be inclusive of both operations and re-housing services. The target population for services are adults aged 18 years of age or older who are: experiencing long-term homelessness; and are residing on or near the ARP; and: living in encampments, other unsheltered locations, or were displaced from the ARP but are living unsheltered elsewhere in Sacramento County. The population may have significant barriers to successfully transition to permanent housing stability and/or may not be best served by traditional emergency shelters. The ARP Scattered Site Program will offer short-term sheltering services, with an emphasis on quickly transitioning guests to permanent and/or stable housing opportunities. Through a scattered site model, the program will offer flexible, low-barrier accommodations for up to 50 guests at a time, and will be inclusive of partners, pets and possessions. The Provider will provide interim housing, meals, case management services, transportation, secure and accessible storage, rehousing services, limited-term financial assistance, housing stabilization case management, and will coordinate supportive services. The County is seeking to execute this service model utilizing residential properties located and secured by the Provider.

In April 2022, Sacramento County was awarded $25,000,000 from the State of California to support efforts to address homelessness on the American River Parkway (ARP), an area where encampments have increased in recent years. While an exact number of how many people experiencing homelessness on the Parkway is unknown, it is estimated that historically there have been 500 to 1,000 individuals residing in a state of homelessness on any given night.

To address service needs in this area, the County funds a team of ten outreach staff to provide outreach and navigation services to individuals experiencing homelessness, in order to connect individuals to health care services, public benefits, shelter and housing resources. While these services are producing positive outcomes, the lack of access to dedicated shelter and housing for these individuals have made these efforts challenging.

On September 10, 2024, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an investment of $5,500,000 million in ARP funding to operate a 50-bed scattered site interim shelter program for up to three years, to support the sheltering needs of those experiencing homelessness on the ARP. This model will provide 24-hour interim shelter, meals, case management and supportive services through the use of up to ten residential homes proximate to the ARP for individuals who are seeking shelter, with the goal of supporting guests to permanent and stable housing opportunities. This model provides a non-congregate shelter option for individuals who may not be successful in traditional, congregate settings; and can accommodate varying household compositions and pets. This RFP is seeking a provider to operate and administer services for the American River Parkway Scattered Site Interim Shelter Program (ARP Scattered Site Program). The selected Provider will be expected to secure residential homes proximate to the ARP for the purposes of providing interim shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness. The ARP Scattered Site program is expected to serve 50 individuals at any given time, and approximately up to 100 individuals annually.