Since 2015, People Assisting The Homeless—also known as PATH—has operated an interim housing site on Cacique Street, providing life-saving services for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
PATH uses the term “interim housing” instead of “shelter” because we offer so much more than just a warm meal and somewhere to sleep. Our dedicated team of essential workers at PATH provides employment assistance, outreach, housing navigation, rapid-rehousing, and permanent supportive housing.
Since PATH began operating in Santa Barbara, we have assisted 2,168 people in achieving safe, secure and stable housing. We’ll be sharing recent “Making it Home” stories through a variety of our programs to demonstrate that each person’s episode of homelessness and their journey home, is as unique as they are.
Our Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH) serves the county’s most vulnerable individuals — connecting them to housing and providing supportive services to ensure they thrive in their new home. Housing services include subsidized rental assistance, case management and housing navigation.
Supportive services include support with utilities, food, life skills training, applying for benefits, and linkages to physical and mental health care.
PATH’s employment services include assistance with job searches and the skill training required to obtain jobs which includes resume building, application assistance, interviewing coaching and computer skills. Each person served utilizes an individualized combination of services, like Michael, who accessed permanent supportive housing and employment services to get his life back on track.
In February of 2021, Michael, a Santa Barbara native, connected to PATH’s PSH program from step down housing. After several stints in jail, a decade of meth addiction and being homeless for seven years, he was ready for his second chance. In just one month, Michael was housed, but it wasn’t an easy search.
After filling out 25 different rental applications with his case manager, Shannon Brunner, he finally found a home for him and his cat, Whiskey.
He vividly remembers when he found his apartment. A rainy day ahead of him and repeated letdowns behind him, he didn’t feel like going to see another unit, just for it to fall through, but he was determined. The property manager told Michael he believed in giving second chances. Recounting the story, Michael told me, “You come to a point where you want to give up, but it’s that last little bit of effort that you give that will make the difference.”
Reaching his one-year anniversary of being housed, Michael is focusing on his career and his future. Through PATH’s employment program, he secured a job with City Net working in shelter operations.
Michael says he can relate to the people he’s supporting, and without judgement he can help them get back on the right path. Reflecting on his career, Michael shared, “Every day I go into work and ask, ‘what can I do to inspire someone? What can I do to give kindness or be of service to someone?’ Everyone I work with is in crisis, so if you’re there to listen to them, that’s what they need.”
In January 2022, Michael was promoted to a housing retention case manager. He has also returned to school at Santa Barbara City College to earn his certification as a drug and alcohol counselor.
“Through my journey with getting a job, an apartment, going back to school, reconnecting with my family, it was that last little bit of effort that I gave, when I felt like I was going to give up, that’s what made it happen.”
We thank Michael for sharing his story with heart and honesty and look forward to keeping up with his journey. Look out for more stories from PATH Santa Barbara.