NorthBay Joins Partners in New Homeless Initiative
NorthBay Healthcare has joined other health systems, Solano County and the city of Vallejo to create a homeless navigation center to provide access to temporary housing and wraparound services to support men and women living unsheltered in the south county.
Due in part to a combined three-year commitment of $6.2 million from the three not-for-profit healthcare systems, the center should open in 2020.
NorthBay’s contribution, through a Community Benefit Grant, totals $200,000 over three years, with the most significant financial contribution coming from Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente, both with a greater presence in Vallejo and Benicia.
“While NorthBay Healthcare has its hospitals and its primary focus in Fairfield, Vacaville and central Solano County, we recognize the impact of homelessness knows no boundaries,” Aimee Brewer, president of NorthBay Healthcare Group, noted.
The center represents a milestone in implementing housing policies to create a pathway for individuals without housing to secure housing. It will connect individuals to health services, income sources, and eventually a path toward permanent housing.
The effort has been dubbed P.A.T.H. – Providing Access To a Home.
“We hope this project will be a model that the county and other cities in central and Northern Solano County can emulate,” Aimee said. “Our united, collaborative coalition will look to address the impact of homelessness on people’s health, which has an impact on our emergency departments.”
The center will be a “one-stop shop” to address core causes of homelessness. It will include:
- Access to shelter beds;
- Individual case management to help connect those who need services such as respite care after medical treatment, substance abuse counseling, mental health support and job training; and
- Assistance with housing readiness support, training and securing permanent housing.
“The center is a longtime dream of mine, and I’m so proud of our community for coming together and finding a way to make this a reality for people who are desperately in need,” said Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan. “Sutter, Kaiser Permanente and NorthBay have proven track records of improving the health in this region, so it was no surprise that all three not-for-profit healthcare systems stepped up to help. This is truly a remarkable demonstration of how we can collaborate for the overall good of our community.”
“The project could not move forward without the support of all three healthcare systems,” said Erin Hannigan, Solano County Supervisor. “We are now better positioned to expand efforts that mitigate the causes and effects of homelessness to the Solano County region.”
The center is expected to serve up to 125 people at one time and approximately 500 during the course of a year. It will receive referral services from local hospitals, law enforcement and Veterans Affairs.