The North State’s homeless population has increased 45.9% over the past decade, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. The most recent count placed Shasta County’s homeless population at 1,082, up nearly 7% from where it was in 2023.
This proliferation has led a number of organizations to implement potential solutions to assist homeless in the area, one such organization being the Good News Rescue Mission.
The nonprofit recently received a boost from the county, finally allowing them to put into motion a seven-step plan to rehabilitate the estimated 700 homeless individuals with substance use disorder in Shasta County.
The plan, which incrementally addresses the homeless’ needs at each step of the rehabilitation process, begins by building trust through street outreach, followed by housing the homeless as they make their way through drug rehabilitation and life skills programs, with the goal of helping them beat their addiction and eventually live entirely independently.
Most of the elements of this plan are already operational. The Rescue Mission is just waiting on the completion of a day resource center — set to open September 2026 — the construction of a substance use disorder residential treatment facility — set to break ground in March 2026 and open in 2027 — and the implementation of an outpatient substance use disorder treatment program — slated to roll out sometime before the treatment facility opens.
The Record Searchlight spoke with the Director of Community Partnership & Development Justin Wandro to get a more in-depth look at the Rescue Mission’s seven-step plan.
1. Street outreach
The goal of the Good News Rescue Mission’s street outreach team is to connect with people living in encampments and get them off the streets.
Wandro said one day a week the team focuses on outreach, visiting homeless encampments in Redding, talking to the homeless, and delivering resources like food, water and, during the winter, rain gear. The rest of the week, street outreach team members meet one on one with individuals, providing case management, and helping them secure essential resources like food, housing and medical treatment.
Once operational, the team will also direct homeless individuals to the under-construction day resource center.
2. Day Resource Center
The day resource center will provide numerous basic needs to homeless individuals, including showers, laundry, bathrooms and storage for their belongings. The center will also feature more specialized resources, such as a computer lab, an academic center for job training and a cafe. Wandro said the Rescue Mission’s goal is to make the center a “place where people are going to want to come and gather in community.”
The center will also have “flex offices” where partner organizations can set up operations. Wandro said there are already plans to have offices for Nation’s Finest, Veteran’s Affairs, and FaithWorks, and the Rescue Mission hopes to also partner with the DMV, SMART Workforce Center and county-based mental health services.
Once the outpatient substance use disorder treatment program is up and running, Wandro said it will also be based out of the day center.
3. Outpatient treatment program
Once connected to the outpatient treatment program through the day resource center, participants will meet with a certified drug and alcohol counselor to complete an assessment of their addiction level and their needs for recovery.
Counselors will then work with participants through a personalized program which may include meeting weekly with their counselor, going to weekly group sessions and attending alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous meetings.
Wandro said counselors will help participants work through the trauma they’ve experienced and the root causes of their addiction as well as teach them life skills and healthy coping tactics.
If deemed necessary, participants may be recommended to enter the Rescue Mission’s planned 30-90 day treatment program at the yet to be constructed treatment facility.
4. Substance use disorder treatment facility
The treatment facility will provide a 30-90 day Medi-Cal certified treatment program to up to 75 individuals at a time, housing participants on-site. Operating 24/7, the facility will provide case management and counseling by licensed social workers as well as life-skills training and a job readiness program.
A proposal submitted to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors further details planned treatment, which will include “motivational interviewing” and “access to medication-assisted treatment through partner providers.”
Wandro said the facility will provide a full kitchen, dining room and outdoor space as well as transportation to anywhere individuals might need to go off site.
Those who need more than 90 days for rehabilitation will be eligible to enter the Rescue Mission’s Discipleship and Life Skills program.
5. Discipleship and life skills program
The Discipleship and Life Skills program is a 6-12 month program which aims to help participants build “healthy life skills” and create “healthy community.”
The discipleship component of the program involves bible studies and a mentorship program. Wandro said participants may choose to attend their mentor’s church or other social clubs.
The life skills component of the program involves attending the Rescue Mission’s academic center, in which participants meet with a life coach to figure out what career path they want to take.
Once significant recovery has been achieved, participants are welcome to live in the Rescue Mission’s transitional sober living homes.
6. Transitional sober living homes
The Rescue Mission has three different transitional living facilities for homeless individuals recovering from substance abuse, each of which residents can live at for about 10-12 months.
The first is a collection of 17 micro shelters, able to house 17 individuals. Wandro said this housing provides the most intensive support, with two case managers, assistance finding employment and a housing navigator to help residents find permanent housing.
The second is a transitional space located inside one of the Rescue Mission’s current facilities designed specifically to house women. Up to 30 women can live in this facility, where they are supported by one case manager and a housing navigator.
The Rescue Mission’s sober living home — able to house seven individuals — is a more hands-off support facility for those almost ready to live on their own. Wandro says there is a house manager present to foster community, and case management is available if necessary.
7. Permanent housing
In the final stage of this continuum, individuals find permanent housing and eventually live fully independent of the Rescue Mission’s services.
According to Wandro, the Mission provides some assistance in the initial stages, helping individuals afford their deposit, first month’s rent and even furniture. The Mission continues to provide case management for about 3-6 months until they’re sure the individual is ready to live on their own.
The Mission also owns a small 12 unit apartment complex to permanently house rehabilitated individuals, though all spots are currently full.
Wandro believes the plan, once fully implemented will have a “huge impact,” potentially helping up to 450 homeless individuals affected by substance use disorder a year.
Drew Askeland covers Redding and Shasta County government issues, as well as anything else that needs reporting for the Record Searchlight and USA Today Network. Reach him at drew.askeland@redding.com or (530) 225-8247. Please subscribe today to support our newsroom’s commitment to public service journalism.
