Please call 2-1-1 for information and services on homelessness near you.
Please call 2-1-1 for information and services on homelessness near you.
The Sacramento City and County Continuum of Care, City of Sacramento, and County of Sacramento recently pooled resources to invest $16 million to create a Coordinated Access System aimed at ensuring people needing services have streamlined and clear paths to access the right help. This investment will ensure that help is more equitable, expedient, and easier to find by our unhoused neighbors.
FAQ: The Coordinated Access System
What is the Coordinated Access System (CAS)?
A streamlined system designed to match people experiencing homelessness with housing and service options. This process prioritizes limited local supportive housing resources, so people with the highest vulnerability can be connected to support as quickly as possible.
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How does someone access housing crisis resources?
Households can call the Housing Crisis Line at 2-1-1 (select #8) to be triaged to appropriate resources. Households can also be assessed for shelter by providers trained in HMIS.
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What resources are available through the CAS?
Emergency shelter, one-on-one shelter waitlist support, problem-solving services including financial assistance to assist with resolving housing crises.
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Can 211 refer households to inclement weather motel vouchers?
No, currently households would need to be referred by a County-designated agency.
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Why can I not get through to 211?
There have been technical issues with some phone carriers not connecting to 211, but the problem is actively being resolved. In the meantime, you can try their toll-free number at 1-844-546-1464.
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Can my agency make a referral to a shelter?
No, currently only 211 can refer households to shelters participating in the CAS. But trained agencies with HMIS access can conduct the individual or family shelter assessment to place a household onto the shelter waitlist.
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What happens after I conduct the shelter assessment?
Households are placed on the shelter waitlist and prioritized based on shelter criteria and vulnerability. If an opening is available for your client, 211 will notify them (or the provider if the client cannot be reached) and make a referral to the shelter.
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How often do I need to conduct the shelter assessment for a household to remain active on the waitlist?
At least every 90 days. If a household’s situation has changed, assessments can be edited within 90 days.
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How can I see if someone is on the waitlist or enrolled in shelter?
Agencies with HMIS access can confirm a household’s active waitlist status if there is a shelter assessment that was completed within the last 90 days. To check if they are enrolled in shelter, there will be an active shelter enrollment listed under the Programs tab.
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Can families still go through the DHA portal or 311 to access shelter?
Beginning 6/30/2023, families will no longer be able to access shelter by calling 311 or through the Sacramento County Emergency Family Shelter Reservation List previously managed by the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA). Families seeking shelter will now call 2-1-1 (or toll free at 1-844-546-1464) to be assessed for shelter options and connected to other homeless services. Trained providers can also conduct the family shelter assessment in HMIS to place a household on the waitlist.
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All other family resources currently available through DHA, such as CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal, are accessible by contacting DHA at 916-874-3100; please visit DHA’s webpage for more information about public assistance services. Additionally, families seeking shelter from the City’s 3-1-1 number will be directed to call 2-1-1. All non-shelter services offered through 3-1-1 are still available.
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Are background checks required for shelter entry?
No, households will not be required to do a background check. But prior to all family shelter referrals, the 290 status (sex offense status) of adult household members will be reviewed by 211.
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Which shelters are participating in CAS?
 Individual Adult Shelters |  Family Shelters |  TAY Shelters |
Meadowview North A Street North 5th Street (Shelter Inc.) Salvation Army – Center of Hope X Street Mather Singles Interim Housing* Scattered-site Shelter* Florin Safe Stay* East Parkway Safe Stay*  | VOA Family Shelter The Village (TAY only) City of Refuge Motel Shelter* City of Refuge Shelter* Next Move Family Shelter Saint John’s Emergency Shelter* Step up on Second Motel Shelter*   | Common Ground STEP Shelter (LGBT Center) The Grove       |
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*Not yet active in the CAS. Expected to begin receiving 211 referrals by the end of 2023.
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What is a PSAP?
Problem-solving access points (PSAPs) are trained agencies that support households in identifying alternative housing options and community support to resolve their housing crisis. This could include mediation, conflict resolution, connections to mainstream resources, and limited financial assistance that directly results in housing being secured. Four designated PSAPs receive referrals from 211 and can provide housing location services for households with vouchers or identified housing.
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What makes someone eligible for a problem-solving access point (PSAP) referral?
Anyone at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, or who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking and meets income requirements, is eligible for problem-solving services. Additional verification documents are required for financial assistance.Â
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What does the CAN team do?
The Coordinated Access Navigational (CAN) team, operated by Elica Health Centers, supports households on the shelter waitlist with problem-solving services and warm handoffs to shelter.
Training videos have been created to support training new shelters on bed reservation and shelter survey tools. Please watch the video below for more information.
Monthly CAS Reports
Quarterly CAS Reports
Additional CAS Resources
CAS Fact Sheet
CAS 101 video- COMING SOON!
Sacramento Steps Forward and the Continuum of Care are developing a community-wide effort to integrate housing problem-solving (HPS) into the homeless response system. Our goal is to help leverage current resources and reduce new entries into homelessness, while reducing overall length of time homeless for households across the continuum with upstream approaches.
Two HPS-101 sessions were held in May and June 2022 for providers to learn more about the initiative.
If your agency/organization would like to join HMIS, your Agency CEO/Executive Director must follow the steps below and email your documentation to HMIS@sacstepsforward.org.
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Click here to see the most recent CAS updates.
Sacramento Steps Forward is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) charity serving the Sacramento region. EIN# 27-4907397
