PROGRAMS
2nd Story Associates has been working towards creating programs that serve individual needs and promote a diverse and socially equitable community. Programs provide much needed resources for even the most basic of needs including dental care, furniture, transportation and utility assistance. These programs and services are instrumental in helping to improve the life and dignity of those we serve
Housing Santa Barbara Day
The annual Housing Santa Barbara Day (HSBD) was held in collaboration with 30+ agencies and supportive service providers in our community. HSBD is an event focused on providing the community with housing resources and advocating for increased affordable housing opportunities for all. Advocating for affordability for all, means finding housing solutions for homeless individuals, middle-income residents, and all workers that support our community. Due to the increasingly challenging housing market which makes finding affordable housing in Santa Barbara difficult, HSBD partners with various local agencies and supportive services providers to aid in the search for housing resources. In addition to this annual event, HSBD provides year-round housing news, community resources, and affordable housing advocacy through the HSBD social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook (@housingsantabarbara) and website.
Thank you to our generous sponsors – The Santa Barbara Community Housing Corporation, The Fund of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Foundation, The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Montecito Bank & Trust, American Riviera Bank, Farmers & Merchant Bank & Noozhawk
Veterans Assistance Fund
Thanks to a generous donation from the Mission Canyon Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a Veterans Assistance Fund was established in 2021 to help support the needs of formerly homeless veterans housed at Johnson Court. 2nd Story Associates serves as a general partner of this affordable housing complex, which opened in early 2020, and is home to 16 local veterans. The support from the Mission Canyon Chapter of NSDAR has helped to meet the needs of individuals residing at Johnson Court. Addressing veteran homelessness is a cornerstone of our community’s response to ending homelessness in Santa Barbara County.
Tools for School
2nd Story Associates, in partnership with the Housing Authority, hosted its annual back-to-school Tools for School event this past August. Community agencies hosted informational tables and shared important services and resources for families and youth in attendance. This year, participating agencies included: Partners in Education, Cal-SOAP, Santa Barbara Public Library, SBCC Promise and School of Extended Learning, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, The Club, Westside United Boys & Girls Club, CommUnify, LEAP, AHA!, Assistance League of SB, See International, Family Service Agency, and Santa Barbara Unified School District. 2nd Story Associates is grateful for a generous grant from US Bank that allowed us to provide 400+ backpacks and school supplies to youth in K-12 grades.
Click below to learn more about this year’s Tools For School event!
Emergency Assistance Fund
Available to clients of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, 2nd Story’s Emergency Assistance Fund supports the critical needs of local families and seniors through short-term, immediate assistance with emergency expenses. Individual grants are provided for needs such as unpaid rent, medical and dental expenses, unpaid utility bills, and other critical needs. This important program helps to offset emergency expenses that can often jeopardize housing stability and wellbeing for low-income community members. Receiving concrete support in times of need, combined with short-term case management, lessens the profound impacts of living in poverty for our community’s families and seniors.
Family Self-Sufficiency Fund
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Fund is administered by Second Story Associates in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB). The purpose of the Family Self-Sufficiency Fund is to provide financial assistance to families enrolled in HACSB’s Family Self-Sufficiency program in order to promote participation in training, education and services that will improve their potential for economic self-sufficiency through the provision of one-time financial assistance, combined with case management services. This year four FSS participants were assisted with the purchase of job related items or equipment, such as books, uniforms, and a lap-top to complete special trainings programs that will enable them to command a higher salary. In 2024, HACSB honored 17 FSS Graduates!
Click below to learn more about this year’s Graduation Ceremony.
Furnishing Hope
Through donations of gently used furniture and local partnerships, the Furniture Closet and Bed Purchase Programs served dozens of vulnerable community members in need of essential household items. In 2023, new beds were provided to 46 housed senior and disabled clients, and a total of 14 households, including families, were provided with gently used furniture from our Furniture Closet program.
Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura (PBC) Program
In the Summer of 2023, the Housing Authority, in partnership with 2nd Story Associates, offered a free summer program to low-income, high-school aged youth. With a focus on college readiness, mental wellbeing, and cultural empowerment, this 5-week program was aptly named Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura, or PBC. The program served 18 Housing Authority youth, and included college readiness workshops, field trips to colleges and universities, and an assortment of other activities and education aimed at promoting self-care and mental wellbeing and cultural awareness. 2nd Story Associates was honored to receive an Expanded Learning Advancing Educational Equity (ELAEE) grant from Santa Barbara Foundation. The ELAEE program supports nonprofit organizations with out-of-school, after school, or summer programs serving low-income, school-aged children. We are grateful to the Santa Barbara Foundation for being a longstanding partner of HACSB and 2nd Story.
