In 2012, Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center will celebrate its 40th anniversary! In the coming months, we will be sharing some of the significant milestones that have shaped and grown our organization.

The first milestone in SAEHC's history actually occurred in July 1970, when two state funded pilot projects to address family homelessness opened in Sacramento County. The two pilots, Voices of the Poor in North Highlands and South Sacramento Area Emergency Housing in Curtis Park, received $25,000 each to provide assistance to homeless families.  The successful pilots were renewed for another year in June 1971.  By early 1972, both pilot projects were targeted for elimination because state revenues had fallen and serious budget cuts were needed.  That's when South Sacramento Area Emergency Housing's Executive Director, Ann Wiltsey, began her campaign to get city and county funding to continue operations.  By late June 1972, enough money had been pledged to ensure that the South Sacramento homeless program would survive another year and become Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center.

In the spring of 1974, Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center's Executive Director, Heather Andrews, was faced with renewing the shelter's lease at 2943 22nd Street.  The landlord was unwilling to make repairs to bring the property up to code, so the decision was made to look for another home for the homeless program.

Heather and the Board of Directors found their new home at 4516 Parker Avenue.  The proposed site was well suited for the program and would allow them to increase the number of persons sheltered from 17 to 25.  Since a County-funded program could only lease property and the Board of Supervisors was unwilling to purchase the property, the next step was to find a private buyer who would lease the property back to SAEHC.

A public appeal was made and program supporters Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lewis of Carmichael stepped forward to purchase the property for $36,000.  Mr. Lewis, a retired carpenter, made the necessary move-in improvements and SAEHC staff and families began operations in their new home on July 1, 1974!

Over the years, many SAEHC "angels" have stepped forward to make a difference, but none so important as Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lewis.  Their gift has been with us for 40 years.

You can be an angel today and contribute to our Family Shelter expansion.  Help SAEHC continue to serve homeless families for the next 40 years!

Winter Shelter Needs Your Help

Please consider making a donation to our Winter Shelter program.  It only takes $40 to provide warm shelter, hot food and case management for a homeless man, woman or child this winter.  How many nights of shelter can you provide?

Donate online to the winter shelter program