our fact sheet t

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits
507 Valley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 539-2100
info@homefirstscc.org
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,
xballesteros@homefirstscc.org.
• 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, egriswold@homefirstscc.org.
• Bring in-kind donations for our clients. Check our wish list at www.homefirstscc.org/wish-list.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE
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©2014, 2015 HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County
www.HomeFirstSCC.org
EHC LifeBuilders