The 24 cabins sit in neat rows on a long, rectangular lot adjacent to the St. Paul Church of God in Christ in North Sacramento. Tiny and tidy, these cabins soon will become the temporary homes to transitional-age youth experiencing homelessness.
Operators last week were putting the final touches on the site known as the Emergency Bridge Housing at Grove Avenue. It will be managed by Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) in partnership with the City of Sacramento and operated by First Step Communities.
“This project is the first of its kind in the region focusing on housing young adults challenged by homelessness,” said Tyrone Roderick Williams, SHRA’s deputy executive director. “This is a stellar example of the faith community joining with the City, SHRA and nonprofits to create partnerships that positively change the course of lives.”
The “Tuff Shed” style cabins, approved by the City Council in February, feature two beds, desks, lamps, charging stations, locking bins for storage and air conditioning. Because of COVID-19, the cabins will be single occupancy, but will shelter two residents in the future. Three cabins are ADA accessible, and there also is an ADA shower/bathroom unit and shade area.
Clients at the Grove are required to regularly meet with case managers, who will help the young people stabilize their lives and transition into permanent housing. Meals will be provided by Volunteers of America. The secured site has a nightly curfew and will utilize communal space at the church next door.
St. Paul Pastor Larry Joyner said he was proud to be a part of the Grove Avenue project. “We all came together and put it together to help our youth,” he added.
In addition to the Emergency Bridge Housing at Grove Avenue, the City of Sacramento and SHRA partnered to operate the low-barrier homeless shelter at Capitol Park Hotel. The City and SHRA also are making progress on opening two large new homeless shelters — one in Meadowview and the other off Alhambra Boulevard near Broadway.