Shasta County approves veteran homelessness plan, adds drug and alcohol counselor with opioid funds

Shasta County supervisors on July 16 approved a county plan to coordinate services for homeless veterans and voted unanimously to add a drug and alcohol counselor position to the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), initially funded with opioid settlement dollars.

The board approved a budget amendment and salary resolution that will use roughly $94,000 in opioid settlement funds to create the substance-use counselor role, part of a wider effort to connect veterans to housing, treatment and benefits. The plan designates the Veterans Service Office (VSO) as the central point of contact and formalizes partnerships with local veteran organizations including Our Hero's Dreams and Nation's Finest.

Why it matters: veterans make up an identifiable share of the county’s homeless population and, according to presenters, face barriers that require case-by-case, “wraparound” services. The county’s approach emphasizes immediate outreach, treatment where needed, landlord engagement, use of vouchers and targeted transitional housing — rather than a single, one-size-fits-all program.

Christy Coleman, interim agency director for Health and Human Services, described the process the county and local veteran organizations used to build the plan. "When someone sees a homeless veteran, they should call the Veterans Service Office," Coleman said, describing intake, agency handoffs, and a range of housing options including motel vouchers, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.

Troy Payne, Shasta County’s Veterans Service Officer, said the plan was “prepared by veterans for veterans” and stressed individualized service. "I cannot stress enough, this collaboration has been prepared by veterans for veterans," Payne said. He noted 84 self-identified veterans are currently in the county’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and that 27 of those are already working with Nation's Finest.

Justin Bond of Our Hero's Dreams described on-the-ground operations and the shortage of beds. "While there are no beds available, that doesn't mean we're not gonna help them," Bond said, and reported the group had taken in 24 new homeless veterans since a recent outreach push. Bond said his organization focuses on immediate stabilization: cleaning, temporary motel placement and navigation to longer-term resources.

Key decisions and directions the board approved or requested: - Add one drug and alcohol counselor to HHSA (salary and benefits initially from opioid settlement funds). The county indicated roughly $94,000 in opioid funds would seed the position while staff pursue sustainable funding and billable services. - Designate the VSO as the program hub for intake and coordination; partner agencies will perform outreach, case management and landlord engagement. - Pursue an RFP to acquire or convert units for transitional housing dedicated to veterans and explore project-based voucher options. - Develop notification protocols with the Shasta County Jail so the VSO can vet veterans upon booking and arrange pre-release handoffs; the board asked staff to pursue a pretrial diversion option for veterans. - Commit to semiannual reporting to the board on outcomes and program metrics (e.g., veterans placed, VASH vouchers leased, veterans housed 12+ months).

Supervisor comments at the meeting emphasized system coordination and measurable outcomes. Supervisor Plummer and others praised the strategy’s emphasis on a single point of contact, wraparound services and bringing veteran-led providers into operational roles. Supervisor Long asked how the position would be funded beyond the opioid award; county staff said the opioid funds can be used short term and that billing and other funding sources would be explored to sustain services.

The board approved the package by voice vote; the clerk recorded the tally as "Aye," and the board announced the measure passed 5-0.

Background and context: the plan builds on existing local providers and voucher programs (including HUD VASH vouchers and rapid rehousing options) and attempts to address short-term capacity gaps — notably a reported lack of transitional bed inventory. Presenters said outreach teams will prioritize meeting veterans "where they are," with an emphasis on treatment for substance-use disorders when required, and that Nations Finest and Our Hero's Dreams will continue to take lead roles in outreach and day-to-day stabilization.

What’s next: staff will implement the counselor position and return to the board on progress twice a year. The county will issue an RFP seeking partners or developers to expand transitional housing capacity for veterans and will continue outreach to identify available beds and resources.

The article is based on the board presentation and public comment session at the July 16, 2025, Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting. Direct quotes were taken from remarks by Christy Coleman (interim HHSA director), Troy Payne (Veterans Service Officer) and Justin Bond (Our Hero's Dreams).