Bridge to Home, the primary homeless services provider in the Santa Clarita Valley, has secured a Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority contract in the amount of $840,000 which will fund three-quarters of the annual cost of providing 60 beds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

To cover the remaining 25% of the cost of its expansion, Bridge to Home is also launching a fundraising campaign to bridge the gap and provide the year-round services and resources needed in the Santa Clarita Valley.

There is an immediate need for $100,000 now and an additional $150,000 in the next few months – for a total of $250,000 by Sept 30, said Bridge to Home Executive Director Michael Foley.

“Whenever we receive funding from (LAHSA), we always have to provide matching funding, Foley said. “It never covers 100%. We now have a contract that will provide $840,000, and the full cost of the program in order to do it is that remaining $250,000.

“The key to understanding this is that we’ve been providing 11 case managers and navigators, and have all kinds of work that’s been going on forever that we’ve always had to raise money for,” he said. “So we’re now going to have to raise more money than ever before, but we’re also going from being a very, very small program to being a much bigger, more robust agency that can have some bigger and better outcomes for the homeless.”

This is a critical time when we have the potential to make a true and lasting impact on homelessness in the Santa Clarita Valley, Foley said.

“These funds awarded by LAHSA are the boost we needed,” he said. “I urge all of you, whether you are long term supporter or looking to give back to your community, to consider donating to Bridge to Home. Your support will make an enormous difference in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

If you, or your organization, can help fill this need, please visit btohome.org to donate now.

Until this year, Bridge to Home operated a 60-bed emergency winter shelter that was only open overnight.

Beginning in March 2019, thanks to funding from Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Bridge to Home was able to keep their doors open and provide 45 beds.

Now, thanks to this contract, as of Sept. 1, Bridge to Home will never need to close their doors again and will be able to provide 60 beds for 60 individuals in our community who need assistance and resources to get back into permanent housing.

Bridge to Home will accept people in crisis situations who need immediate shelter, as well as those who are already on the path to secure permanent housing.

“I want to say ‘thank you’ to Supervisor Kathryn Barger, her staff, the Santa Clarita City Council and staff, and all of our community volunteers for supporting Bridge to Home,” said Bridge to Home Board President Peggy Edwards. “This truly has been a community-wide effort to reach this point and the Bridge to Home Board extends their deepest gratitude to those who made our goal of a year-round shelter a reality.”

There are many ways to donate to Bridge to Home. You can sign up to be a Bridge Builder and donate on a monthly basis, make a one-time donation or sign up to be a Power Sponsor and take advantage of the high profile opportunities to highlight your business while supporting Bridge to Home.

For more information please visit www.btohome.org.