Our Programs
At SHELTER, Inc., we understand our participants experience financial hardships, some face even greater obstacles on their path to stable housing. That’s why we offer specialized programs designed to support traditionally underserved communities, providing the additional guidance, resources, and care needed to help them secure a safe and lasting home.
By addressing each person's unique needs, we strive to create lasting stability and a foundation for a brighter future. Everyone deserves a place to call home, and we’re here to help make that a reality.
Our Services
Eviction Prevention: Keeping Homes, Stability, and Hope Intact
When families and individuals face an unexpected crisis, the risk of losing their homes becomes a frightening reality. Eviction Prevention programs provide a critical safety net, offering one-time financial assistance to help people stay in their homes or secure a new place to live.
Keeping someone housed is about more than just shelter; jobs are preserved, families have food, and children can grow up in a safe, stable environment. By stepping in at a pivotal moment, we help prevent homelessness before it starts, giving people the support they need to regain stability and move forward with dignity.
To qualify, applicants must explain their crisis was beyond their control, show they have a reliable source of income, and prove they are financially self-sufficient. Our goal is to provide a bridge during hardship, ensuring that no one has to face the devastating effects of eviction alone.
Emergency Shelter: A Safe Haven on the Path to Stability
Losing a home is one of the most overwhelming experiences a person can face. Our emergency shelters provide a safe, supportive place for individuals and families who have nowhere else to turn, offering not just a bed, but a foundation for rebuilding.
We believe that shelter is more than just a temporary solution; it’s a stepping stone to long-term stability. Residents in our shelters are active participants in their journey toward self-sufficiency, receiving personalized support to address the root causes of their homelessness. Through life skills training, health and wellness resources, and one-on-one guidance, we empower individuals and families to regain their independence and secure stable housing.
Understanding every household is unique, our shelters welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds, identities, and circumstances. With 24/7 support, we provide a compassionate environment where people can heal, grow, and take meaningful steps toward a brighter future.
Long-Term Housing: A Path to Lasting Stability
A safe, stable home is the foundation for a brighter future. Our Long-Term Housing programs help families and individuals move beyond the uncertainty of homelessness by connecting them to permanent housing with the support they need to rebuild their lives.
We recognize that every person’s journey is different, which is why we provide tailored assistance that may include temporary financial support, case management, and other resources to ensure long-term success. Through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), some programs offer subsidized rental units to eligible individuals and families, helping them regain stability without the fear of eviction looming.
For those with lower incomes, affordable housing is essential. SHELTER, Inc. not only owns and manages affordable housing properties but also works closely with landlords across multiple counties to expand housing opportunities. Our goal is to make sure that no one has to navigate the challenge of finding a home alone because everyone deserves a safe place to call their own.
Property Management
For over 30 years, SHELTER, Inc. has been dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for low-income households in Contra Costa and Solano Counties. In addition to our own properties, we manage several scattered-site master-leased properties that ensure even more families and individuals have a place to call home. These properties include:
- Affordable Housing Association of Pittsburg (AHAP)
- Victoria Apartments
- Sunset Apartments
- The Landings
- Mary McGovern House
- Peach Street Apartments
- Barrett Apartments
- Pittsburg Family Center
- Lyle Morris Apartments
- Broadway Village
Our property team goes beyond just maintenance and bookkeeping. They understand the unique experiences of our participants, many of whom have transitioned from homelessness into housing. With compassion and care, they support residents in their journey to stability, helping them heal, rebuild, and move toward self-sufficiency. We’re not just offering a place to live; we’re fostering a community where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Empowering Those Who Served: Veterans Programs
Our Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving us. Now, we stand ready to serve them. At SHELTER, Inc., we are committed to empowering Veterans by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to regain stability, achieve their goals, and build the future they deserve.
The Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program provides free services to eligible Veterans and families, including case management, assistance with VA benefits, and housing stability. The program is designed for Veterans who are single, head of a household, or spouse of the head of a household, who are homeless and looking to maintain permanent housing in Contra Costa County, with income less than 50% AMI and capable of sustaining permanent housing after short-term case management and/or financial assistance. We can also connect you with other assistance including VA health care, legal services, financial planning, and transportation assistance. Call us at 925.957.7592 to learn more—because no Veteran should have to face the journey alone.
Supportive Services for All Participants
Case Management Services
Our case managers work alongside participants, offering guidance and support as they navigate their journey toward stability. Through personalized coaching, we help individuals and families identify and address the root causes of their homelessness. Case management services may include:
- Employment training and job readiness support
- Referrals for mental health and medical care
- Assistance with public benefits enrollment
- Connections to essential community resources such as legal aid and food banks
Employment Assistance
A stable income is a key step toward long-term housing security. We provide one-on-one career development services, job readiness training, and placement assistance. Participants also have access to job search workshops, career coaching, transportation support, uniforms, and short-term certification programs to help them secure and maintain employment.
Housing Support
Our ultimate goal is to help participants find and keep permanent housing. Using a Housing First approach, we prioritize getting individuals and families into safe, stable homes as quickly as possible—without unnecessary barriers. From housing searches to lease negotiations, our team is here to provide the support needed to make lasting housing stability a reality.
At SHELTER, Inc., we believe in meeting people where they are and walking with them on the path to self-sufficiency. No one should have to navigate this journey alone, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
County Specific Services
While all of our participants are low-income, we have special programs to assist some of the traditionally under-served communities for whom housing stability is a more significant barrier. Some of these programs serve veterans, those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders or physical disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and those re-entering society having successfully exited the state prison system.
Click on the county of your residence to see what assistance is available where you live.
Our Mission in Action
Angelo’s Story
A single dad who became homeless with his son. With the help of SHELTER, Inc. Angelo was able to move out of our shelter into his own home. With the help of his case manager he was able to find employment, affordable housing and most importantly the support he needed on his pathway to self-sufficiency.
Watch Angelo’s Video Story ›
