Housing & Shelter

Homelessness Prevention

Samaritan House helps families avoid a major crisis and homelessness with emergency rent or assistance with utility bills. Rental assistance continues to be one of the most important and common needs of our clients as it allows families to avoid eviction and remain in their homes. This is one of the least costly and most effective services we provide to meet the housing need of our clients.

Housing Placement and Stabilization

Case managers work with clients to explore what contributed to their housing instability and address those issues. And they provide support with housing applications, qualification for housing programs and they work with landlords to create more housing opportunities for our clients in need of a new home.

Coordinated Entry System (CES)

Samaritan House was selected through an RFP (Request for Proposal) process by the County to administer the Coordinated Entry System program, – a county-wide program which includes all 7 Core Service Agencies. This program was designed to streamline and prioritize access of limited resources for the most vulnerable San Mateo County residents seeking homeless services.

The main objective of this program is to divert clients from shelter and best utilize shelter space available, when possible. Using all available resources, we support them in helping solve their housing crisis. The program started June 19, 2017 with families and was expanded to include single adults in January 2018.

Safe Harbor Shelter

Safe Harbor Shelter offers emergency and short-term housing options in a 90-bed and 10-cot shelter: safety, warmth, sustenance, and healthcare are the essentials we start with to help the homeless become self-sufficient. Comprehensive, personalized case management and services include: counseling; Redi-clinic care; meals; job search assistance; financial coaching and assistance; transportation assistance; permanent housing placement; and various community gatherings to encourage socializing and to build clients’ self-esteem. More than 400 homeless individuals are served at Safe Harbor each year.