Success Story: Preventing Homelessness

Sobrato House Youth Center

The goal for EHC LifeBuilders’ Sobrato House Youth Center is to provide homeless and at-risk young adults 12-25 years-old who have transferred out of foster care with a safe and stable alternative to living on the streets. The Housing Trust of Santa Clara County was an early supporter to commit funding to this project, opening opportunities for others to invest. Today Sobrato House serves 500 teens a year at their emergency shelter and transitional housing programs and at their on-site Drop-In Multi-Service Center providing legal, health and other support services to homeless teens.

The Challenge:

EHC LifeBuilders initially had challenges launching a capital campaign to fund their emergency and transitional home for youth given competing priorities in a funding environment that prioritized permanent housing over transitional housing. An extensive community hearing process further delayed the project’s construction. As time progressed the cost of financing Sobrato House increased and the threat of providing a stable home for homeless youth was jeopardized.

The Solution:

The Housing Trust of Santa Clara County was among the first local agencies to make a funding commitment to EHC Lifebuilders in the form of a permanent loan for $240,000. According to Michelle Covert, Youth Program Manager of Sobrato House, “what was most meaningful for EHC was to have an investment from a local provider giving their stamp of approval that this is a worthy project. It set an example for the rest of the community and created an opportunity for us to receive other funding.” Thanks to the support of the Housing Trust and other funders, Santa Clara County has resources dedicated to addressing the comprehensive needs of youth before they become chronically homeless.

To learn more about our homelessness prevention program click here.