SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County, HOPE Cooperative and Enki Development Group have partnered together to create Grow Florin Interim Housing, with space for 72 transitional housing beds for homeless seniors aged 55 and older with Community, Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) court participants as a priority population, according to the Sacramento County Department of Health Services. 

Built in 324 days, Grow Florin Interim Housing is the county’s fastest completed housing project, due to strict deadlines outlined by the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing grant, totaling a capital investment of $5.4 million, according to the Department of Health Servies.

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act aims to provide community-based mental health and related services, support and accountability for individuals living with untreated schizophrenia psychotic disorders, according to the Superior Court of California. 

Making up the 72 beds include 32 singles, 20 doubles and eight ADA-compliant cabins. The project was funded by the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing grant, awarded to Sacramento County in partnership with HOPE Cooperative to serve individuals with severe mental illness and substance abuse disorders. 

The campus is color-coordinated by zones to create miniature communities and each cabin has its own power source. Climate-controlled cabins, a mini fridge, a communal kitchen and a dog park are some amenities included for residents. Tenants receive three meals per day and access to behavioral healthcare, case management, housing navigation, employment, education support and help developing life skills, according to the Department of Health Services. 

The county is compiling a list of future residents anticipating being placed into the Grow Florin Interim Housing with expected operating costs of $3.1 million and an additional $920,000 allocated for flexible funding supports, according to the Department of Health Services. 

Individuals will be selected through the Community, Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment court process, taking into account referrals from Sacramento County’s Homeless Engagement and Response Team to ensure the program prioritizes individuals most in need, according to the Department of Health Services.

HOPE Cooperative is responsible for making sure daily operations comply with all county, state and federal guidelines to meet the needs of the Sacramento County Good Neighbor Policy. The property is surveilled with 39 cameras and 24/7 patrols by SafeChoice Security.