Yolo County Homeless Program Gives Treatment, Training To Get Them Back On Their Feet
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — From homeless to a place to call home—some 60 people living along the banks of the Sacramento River less than one week ago now have roofs over their heads.
The life-changing choice for the residents now provides them with guidance on how to get back on their feet.
Less than a week ago, Mark Green was living in a partial tent on the banks of the Sacramento River. It's a life he's known off and on for almost three decades.
"I didn't even bring the tent with me, I left it there" he said. "That lets you know I'm coming back."
He was the first person to sign up for a Yolo County pilot program to help the homeless in Yolo County.
"Let's get them a roof over their head first, and then let's address the issues that lead to homelessness," said Beth Gabor, manager of public affairs for the county.
Green admits his bad choices are to blame for him becoming homeless after drugs and spending time in prison.
But on this night, and for the past several nights, he's had a roof over his head. The motel room is his haven and headstart for a new start.
"I'm not looking back, I'm looking foward, been looking back all my life it ain't got me nowhere," he said.
Green is one of more than 60 former homeless people now living at the Old Town in West Sacramento. There, they can get help with a number of issues, including job training, mental health, and veterans affairs.
With a plan now in place, CBS13 wanted to know how will the dozens of people being helped in the program be monitored.
"After the 60 to 120 days of temporary housing, there's going to be milestones related to permanent housing, related to sticking to their substance abuse treatment, all of those things," Gabor said.
Green is hoping he can be a role model for others who want to make some big changes.
"If I can show these cats I can do it, if I could show them I could do it, anyone can do it," he said.
The program is paid for with $50,000 from the city of West Sacramento and $50,000 from Yolo County.
City leaders say the program is actually less expensive, as it gets people connected to services they are eligible for rather than taxing law enforcement and emergency health care.
