Next Move Homeless Services helps individuals and families with children achieve self-reliance through a network of programs and resources throughout Sacramento County. Established in 1972, the organization offers 11 programs, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing. 

Next Move’s administrative office celebrated an open house in April, as it now shares a building at 1422 C St. in Sacramento with Francis House Center, one of the programs under the Next Move umbrella. With its own 50-year history, Francis House joined Next Move in 2015 and acts as a drop-in resource center offering a clothing closet, snack bags, hygiene kits and more to those in need. 

“Our goal is to shelter and stabilize those experiencing homelessness, but we have begun to focus on diversion and prevention programs as well.”— Debbie Hughes Executive Director 

Individual programs have joined Next Move at different times over its 52 years and the organization now boasts two emergency shelters and two transitional housing programs, among other housing and resource programs that form a continuum of services for those finding their way to stability and self-reliance. 

“Our goal is to shelter and stabilize those experiencing homelessness, but we have begun to focus on diversion and prevention programs as well,” says Executive Director Debbie Hughes. “We’re trying to prevent individuals and whole households from even entering into homelessness for far less trauma for them and less cost.” 

The new diversion programs include eviction avoidance, giving clients one-time assistance in paying rent, utility assistance, helping clients with a utility bill beyond their means, and deposit and first-month rent assistance, helping clients establish themselves in housing. 

“Sometimes helping them pay that one bill can help keep their troubles from snowballing to where they lose their home,” says Hughes. “We want to grow and add to those diversion and prevention services and look ahead to offering more in-depth education, workshops and mentoring to help keep people in their homes. Please see our website on how to help us help these people, our neighbors in need during challenging times.”