HomeFirst

HomeFirst 45 years of hope, housing, and HomeFirst. We offer a full spectrum of evidence-based services to support people who are unhoused or housing insecure.

The HomeFirst Story
In 1980, a group of service providers and advocates saw a gap in homeless services. With eight families in crisis and without a place to go, these advocates set out to help, ultimately creating an agency that would meet the needs of unhoused families in Santa Clara County. Since then, HomeFirst has expanded significantly. During FY24 (ending June 30, 2024), we impacted over 10,

000 individuals including youth, seniors, and veterans, across two counties (Santa Clara and Sonoma). Approximately 6,000 people received direct supportive services from HomeFirst and another 4,500+ benefited from our systems leadership.

Please note: HomeFirst's Donation Center will be closed on Monday, August 17.We will resume normal operating hours on Tu...
08/15/2026

Please note: HomeFirst's Donation Center will be closed on Monday, August 17.

We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, August 18.

Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support of our mission. If you're planning to drop off donations, we look forward to seeing you when we reopen on Tuesday. đź’™

We're excited to share that HomeFirst has once again been selected as a beneficiary of the Applied Materials Silicon Val...
08/13/2026

We're excited to share that HomeFirst has once again been selected as a beneficiary of the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot!

Each Thanksgiving morning, thousands of community members come together to run, walk, volunteer, and give back — and every registration helps support local nonprofits working to strengthen our community.

Early registration is now open, and we'd love to see Team HomeFirst at the starting line.

Whether you're a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or simply looking for a meaningful way to kick off Thanksgiving, your participation makes a difference.

Register today and select HomeFirst as your fittest firm! Invite your friends and family, and join us this Thanksgiving morning. đź’™

Register: https://www.svturkeytrot.com

08/11/2026

Erwin’s journey with HomeFirst began after a difficult breakup left him without housing. He first connected with HomeFirst through a temporary Overnight Warming Location before being referred to shelter services.

Over the past three years, Erwin has found ways to contribute to his shelter community and give back. When HomeFirst launched New Start—a paid workforce development program that provides hands-on job experience at a living wage—he joined the inaugural class.

Today, Erwin is a New Start graduate with new skills, experience, and confidence as he works toward his goals of employment and housing.
New Start creates opportunities for people to build more than a résumé—it creates opportunities to build momentum toward a more stable future.

Help us expand these opportunities. Your donation to New Start supports paid workforce development and helps participants take meaningful steps toward their goals. đź’™

Donate today: https://endhomelessness.donorsupport.co/page/NewStart

08/10/2026

What happens when a community comes together for local children and families?

A Back-to-School Fair filled with backpacks, school supplies, shoes, books, haircuts, resources, and plenty of smiles. đź’™

This year, children and families experiencing homelessness received 140 backpacks filled with school supplies, 240 pairs of shoes, 50 bike helmets donated by Stanford Medicine's Ride Smart Program, hygiene kits, free haircuts provided by KZ Academy, and the chance to take home one of four bikes raffled off during the event.

Beyond the supplies, families connected with local organizations offering resources, support, and opportunities throughout the year.

We are so grateful to our event sponsor, San José Public Library, and our community partners: San José Public Library's Literacy Program, Luis Martino and Anayeli Orozco, Starbucks, Head Start–Office of Early Education, CalFresh Healthy Living, Sacred Heart, and KeyPoint Credit Union.

To every volunteer, donor, partner, and supporter who helped make this day possible—thank you. Your generosity helped create a day filled with excitement, confidence, and connection for local families preparing for the school year ahead.

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the service, courage, and sacrifice of those who have been wounded or lost their lives in ...
08/07/2026

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the service, courage, and sacrifice of those who have been wounded or lost their lives in service to our country.
As we reflect on their extraordinary commitment, we also recognize the importance of ensuring that every Veteran has access to the support they deserve when they return home.

At HomeFirst, we're proud to serve Veterans experiencing homelessness through housing and supportive services that help create lasting stability. It's one way we can express our gratitude—not only through words, but through action.

Today, we thank Purple Heart recipients and their families for the sacrifices they have made in service. đź’ś

Community was on full display during National Night Out.Across different HomeFirst sites, program participants, staff, f...
08/06/2026

Community was on full display during National Night Out.

Across different HomeFirst sites, program participants, staff, first responders, community members, and local officials came together for an evening of connection, conversation, and fun. From giant games and ice cream to opportunities to meet neighbors and build relationships, the night was a reminder that strong communities are built through meaningful connections.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create welcoming spaces where people could gather, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. Your presence made the evening special.

It's hot out there, and for people experiencing homelessness, extreme heat can quickly become dangerous.If you've been l...
08/04/2026

It's hot out there, and for people experiencing homelessness, extreme heat can quickly become dangerous.

If you've been looking for a way to help, there are several ways to get involved:
đź’§ Donate hot weather items or shop our Amazon Wishlist
🤝 Organize a kit build with friends, coworkers, or community groups
❤️ Volunteer your time
🏠 Make a monetary donation to support critical services

No matter how you choose to help, your support can make a meaningful difference for someone facing the hottest days of the year without the safety and comfort of home.

Learn more about how you can get involved today: https://www.homefirstservices.org/get-involved

Shortly after graduating from the inaugural New Start cohort, Jaclyn has started her new role as a Visual Merchandiser. ...
07/29/2026

Shortly after graduating from the inaugural New Start cohort, Jaclyn has started her new role as a Visual Merchandiser.

New Start is designed to help participants build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to take the next step toward meaningful employment. Seeing graduates put that work into action is what it's all about.

We're proud to celebrate this milestone and excited to see all that lies ahead for Jaclyn.

Join us in congratulating her in the comments! đź’™

07/29/2026

What happens inside an interim housing community?

Recently, we had the opportunity to welcome Supervisor Otto Lee's team to our Mabury Interim Housing site for a firsthand look at how HomeFirst supports people experiencing homelessness.

During the visit, our Chief Program Officer, Bea Ramos, shared how HomeFirst's programs work together to help people move from homelessness toward permanent housing. From case management and housing navigation to meals and supportive services, Mabury provides more than shelter—it provides a foundation for stability and the next steps forward.

We're grateful for opportunities like these to share our work and strengthen partnerships that help build a more responsive homeless services system for our community.

A hygiene kit may seem simple, but its impact extends far beyond the items inside.It can provide confidence. It can help...
07/23/2026

A hygiene kit may seem simple, but its impact extends far beyond the items inside.

It can provide confidence. It can help someone feel comfortable and ready to succeed. And It can give someone the tools they need to care for themselves and maintain a sense of dignity.

These kits also help create connections. They give outreach teams a way to start conversations, build trust, and connect people with resources that can support their path toward housing and stability.

When our community comes together to provide essential items, we're doing more than meeting immediate needs—we're showing our neighbors that they matter.

Whether you donate supplies, volunteer your time, organize a group, or help spread the word, you can be part of making that impact possible. Learn more: https://www.homefirstservices.org/get-involved/kit-builds

Address

San Jose, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14085392100

Website

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