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Vacaville accepts Opportunity House annual report; shelter reports 17,850 bed nights and expanded outreach
Summary
Council accepted the annual report from Opportunity House; the nonprofit reported about 17,850 bed nights, 55,000 meals and roughly 400 residents served in fiscal year 2023–24 and described expanded outreach and shower programs.
The Vacaville City Council accepted the Opportunity House annual report Jan. 28, hearing details on shelter usage, demographics and expanded outreach services for the fiscal year July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024.
Tamara Golan, Vacaville’s housing and community services director, briefed council on a funding modification the city approved last year and summarized the shelter’s output: “for the fiscal year 2023 through '20 starting July 1 of 20 23 and ending June thirtieth of 20 24, Vacaville Solano Services Corporations or VSSC reports, providing a little over 17,850 bed nights of service, 55,000 meals, and approximately 400 residents were served.”
Ashley Banta, executive director of Opportunity House, described program expansions and services: “On average we serve 2 times a week. We provide showers to any individual that wants to come in and we're providing at least 15 to 20 showers a week,” and summarized aftercare and housing‑navigation work that supports people after shelter exit. Banta said Opportunity House’s exit outcomes include roughly 48% of exits to permanent housing (own rental, section 8, shared housing) while other exits include temporary arrangements, institutions or returns to homelessness.
Council members asked about the point‑in‑time count and youth services. Golan and Banta said Vacaville coordinated the county point‑in‑time count this year (reported around 250–260) and confirmed Opportunity House operates a transitional‑age‑youth program (My Friend's House) with capacity to house eight youth; funding for that unit was in transition but staff expected the beds to be filled within months.
Council accepted the report by motion and voice vote; staff noted prior loans and a one‑time emergency funding arrangement and that the organization continues to rely on multiple funding streams and donations.
Why it matters: The report provides council and the public with utilization and outcome metrics for local homelessness services and documents expanded outreach and aftercare efforts that local officials cited as critical to keeping people housed and connected to services.
