A Year of Community Wins. A New Year of Action.

Success in solving homelessness isn’t measured by numbers alone but by the people whose lives have been stabilized and strengthened through our collective work. Impact is measured in how effectively we bring partners together, align around shared goals, and realize a different future for our community. Despite unprecedented budget cuts and threats to our social safety net, one thing remains constant: our commitment to preventing and ending homelessness for as many people as possible.

At Destination: Home, this year brought meaningful progress and hopeful signs that our efforts are making a real difference. From several grand openings that welcomed more people home, to new tools that help clients access housing, to expanding direct financial assistance so it reaches those on the brink of homelessness, we saw important steps forward.

The strategies we invest in are proven to prevent and end homelessness, and we remain focused on scaling these efforts so more people can come home, stay housed, and benefit from a more equitable and responsive system. There is still much work ahead, and we know the challenges will demand even stronger action and deeper resolve.

Today, we invite you to join us in recognizing a few of this year’s important wins, just a fraction of the work happening every day, and the hope they offer for the year to come.

This year, our community celebrated 3,172 people moving into 9 new buildings, and invested in an additional 1,331 new homes that are fully funded and ready to build, ensuring thousands more will soon be able to permanently end their experience of homelessness. We’ve seen how impactful a permanent home can be in helping people stabilize and rebuild their lives, and we know what’s needed is to bring these lifesaving opportunities to more people in our community. 

With seniors now the fastest-growing homeless population and disproportionately impacted by worsening economic conditions, we’re finding new ways to support these vulnerable community members. Through the launch of our Senior Shallow Subsidy Program, a pilot program designed to help older adults cover rent and avoid homelessness, 20 seniors have been able to remain stably housed. One of those residents, Ed, shared that this support has been a lifeline, allowing him to do things many of us take for granted, like visiting his daughter:

The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System has helped stabilize more than 43,000 people to date with lasting results– over 90% of recipients remain housed even two years after receiving support. The program is a critical resource for families struggling to make ends meet and facing homelessness due to a sudden crisis. Linda Nguyen and her family experienced this firsthand and are thankful for the program’s support and their case manager:

This year, the Homelessness Prevention System’s impact reached a national audience with the release of a first-of-its-kind toolkit to help other communities launch and manage their own prevention systems, along with an in-depth look into the model in KQED.

We know that putting resources directly into the hands of those who need them most can be transformative. Today, our community is operating 10 guaranteed income pilots, supporting groups ranging from seniors to individuals exiting the criminal justice system. These pilots are providing security, dignity, and the chance to move forward with confidence.

Ensuring that people with lived experience shape and improve our systems is essential. Informed by this expertise, we launched MyConnectSV, now used by over 2,000 people on their housing journey. This tool simplifies access to key documents, strengthens communication with case managers, and provides real-time alerts for housing opportunities – making the entire process more equitable and efficient.

We also debuted our National Lived Experience Leadership and Advocacy Board, which will ensure that national decisions and solutions remain accountable to those most impacted. We look forward to welcoming 15 new board members and supporting their far-reaching impact.