Kathie’s Test Page (NLEL conf, TECHquity, HPS)
Need Help Paying Rent?
The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System has assistance available for low-income families or individuals who are at risk of losing their housing.
Visit PreventHomelessness.org or view the flyers below for more information – and then call (408) 926-8885 to schedule a pre-screening appointment to determine if you qualify for assistance.
Residents in our community are being pushed into homelessness faster than our systems are able to build and connect people to permanent housing. We must address the problem proactively to prevent homelessness before it begins.
In 2017, Destination: Home helped launch the Homelessness Prevention System to build a solution that stops the cycle of homelessness before it even begins. The program has since been adopted by our County as its leading homelessness prevention strategy and is now being held up as the evidence-based model to replicate nationwide. This is more than just a success story – it’s a game-changing approach to ending homelessness.
The model delivers financial assistance and supportive services to help individuals and families remain housed. The system has helped stabilize over 33,000 at-risk households, with measurable results. Two years after receiving assistance, more than 90% of these households remained housed, proving a significant reduction in homelessness risk.
In 2024, the County fully integrated this model into the broader public safety net, charting a course for expansion to support more households at imminent risk of homelessness. The County now reaches more than 2,500 households a year with homelessness prevention services.
A Proven Model
By focusing on prevention, we’re tackling the root causes of housing instability and showing that keeping families in their homes is both compassionate and cost-effective. In the first randomized controlled trial on a prevention program, Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities has proven that this solution doesn’t just delay homelessness—it prevents it altogether.
Now, this model is being held up for replication nationwide as an effective solution to our homelessness crisis. Our partners at Results for America have just released a new resource outlining how to launch, operate and manage a homelessness prevention system, offering a clear path forward for other communities to replicate our success in Santa Clara County.
Why prevention?
Homelessness prevention is proven to be a more cost-effective and compassionate approach than addressing homelessness once a family or individual has already been pushed onto the streets. At an average of $7,000 provided to each household, it is a pragmatic way to keep people housed, with just 9% of households becoming homeless two years after receiving Homelessness Prevention System services.
Prevention is more critical than ever. A recent Harvard study found that rising rents and stagnant wages have left half of Americans unable to afford housing, while an increasing number of our neighbors are being pushed into homelessness.
Evidence of Success
Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) studied the impact of the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System, and found the first evidence from a randomized controlled trial showing that financial assistance significantly decreases homelessness. The study also suggests benefits to the broader community exceed the costs of the program – with $2.47 in benefits gained for every dollar spent on financial assistance.
Our System Today
Building a Better System to End & Prevent Homelessness
Support the 2024 National Lived Experience Leadership Conference
This gathering will bring together change agents with recent homelessness experience and local leaders to mobilize for action to end homelessness. Please join us in welcoming this important group to Silicon Valley by supporting the conference.
For every $5,000 contributed, we can support 4 people in attending the conference. More details are available in this supporter package or by contacting Maia@destinationhomesv.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
TECHquity Fund
Destination: Home launched the TECHquity Fund in 2022 to meet the technology-related needs of service providers and people seeking assistance throughout the homelessness service sector in Santa Clara County. These needs were identified and documented with an assessment by our partners at Homebase.
The purpose of the TECHquity Fund is to remove barriers to service and housing-related support by providing technology access to those on their path to housing stability and to the Santa Clara County Supportive Housing system. With the launch of MyConnectSV, a first of its kind technology solution, Santa Clara County made a deeper commitment to shifting power to service-engaged individuals by enabling transparent and direct access to their service journey.
Destination: Home is dedicated to increasing access to MyConnectSV through the TECHquity Fund. This flexible fund aims to support the unique technology needs of Santa Clara County-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving Extremely Low Income (ELI) individuals.
Apply For a Grant From the TECHquity Fund to Increase MyConnectSV Access and Equity
The TECHquity Fund is taking applications on a rolling basis through November 7, 2025, to support organizations increasing access to MyConnectSV. Applicants can expect to hear back from us within a month of applying. Read on to learn more about eligibility, grant prioritization, and how to apply.
Application Information
We will consider agency requests to fund needs related to MyConnectSV access and utilization for up to $20,000. Nonprofit organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Registered 501(c)3 organization or fiscally sponsored by one, in good standing;
- Provide direct services to people in the Santa Clara County Supportive Housing system & who are at or below 30% of the area median income (“extremely low-income” or ELI);
- Are currently a Santa Clara County Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) participating agency;
- Are currently, or plan to be within 30 days of receiving a grant, using MyConnectSV to actively serve program participants; and
- Have a clear plan and capacity to spend funds within 120 days.
Exclusions:
- Organizations that proselytize or require participation in religious activities or programming to be eligible or prioritized for services.
- Organizations that require adherence or conversion to any religious doctrine in order to be an employee of the organization.
- Organizations that question or deny scientific evidence or best practices related to disease transmission, harm reduction, public health, or civil rights.
- Organizations that discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity, religious belief or lack thereof, disability, or immigration status.
Applications will be prioritized for organizations that are:
- Serving people who are currently without housing or shelter
- Providing community space for or serving people in supportive housing, transitional housing, or shelter programs.
- Predominantly serving Black, Indigenous, and other People Of Color (BIPOC)
- Actively using MyConnectSV to connect and serve program participants
- With budgets under $1,500,000
What to Expect After You Apply
When you submit an application, a copy of your submission will be sent to the email you provide. This email may go to SPAM, so please check there if you do not see it in your main inbox.
- If selected, applicants will be contacted by email.
- Grantees will be selected 10 times per year during the 3rd week of each month – starting in March 2025 and ending in December 2025. A grantee may only receive one grant between January to December of the current calendar year.
- An application will be considered active and eligible for funding unless otherwise notified.
Increasing WiFi Equity and Access
Destination: Home is interested in supporting equitable unlimited access to high-quality internet for people who are in the Santa Clara County Supportive Housing System, are extremely low income, and need access to allow for MyConnectSV use. If your organization has Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, Shelter, or a Service Center located in Santa Clara County and you’re interested in partnering with us to bring free wifi access to your residents and guests so they can connect to MyConnectSV, please fill out the interest form here.
For Support & Questions
If you have questions and/or need support filling out the application, please contact Maureen Damrel at (408) 314-5032 (call or text) or email TECHquity@destinationhomesv.org.
The TECHquity Fund is not taking new applications at the moment, and is in the process of reviewing submissions. Please back for an update in September.
Applicants who have submitted an application can expect to hear back from us within a month of applying. If you have specific questions related to MyConnectSV, contact TECHquity@destinationhomesv.org.
Read on to learn more about eligibility, grant prioritization and how to apply.
Click to Apply As An Individual
Destination: Home will purchase the tech items on behalf of the individual grantee and facilitate delivery or item pickup. We will consider individual requests to fund technology needs including but not limited to internet connectivity, personal devices, software, memberships and training valued up to $1,000. Individuals must meet the following criteria:
- At or below 30% of the Area Median Income (“extremely low-income” or ELI); and
- A resident of Santa Clara County with lived experience of homelessness and/or housing instability who is connected to supportive services, and either:
- Is enrolled in employment training and/or traditional education;
- Has employment that requires the use of the requested technology; and/or
- Is actively involved in advocating for the unhoused and/or supporting the community- or system-based initiatives (e.g., community organizing, rank and review, ongoing feedback/input opportunities, task forces, steering committees, tenant groups, etc.).
Applications will be prioritized for individuals currently enrolled in traditional education or employment training, are employed, or are actively participating in a community or coordinated system-based activity leading to solutions and/or improvements in Santa Clara County.
