Shelter

What Shelter does

SHELTER, Inc. is a California-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 and headquartered in Concord, California, that delivers a three-tier continuum of homelessness services—prevention, emergency shelter and rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive/affordable housing—across four counties: Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Marin. Service lines include eviction prevention (averaging $5,179 per household in financial assistance), emergency shelter facilities (Mountain View Family Shelter in Martinez, Beck Avenue Navigation Center in Fairfield, Sacramento River District Shelter), long-term and permanent supportive housing (including the newly opened 41-unit Casa Canal in Marin County), in-house property management of owned and master-leased affordable units, and wraparound case management, employment assistance, and behavioral health referrals. Specialized programs serve veterans (SSVF), survivors of domestic violence, and individuals re-entering from incarceration (Positive Futures).

The organization is operationally a service-delivery platform built on a multi-county network of owned/master-leased housing stock, shelter facilities, and partnerships with 50+ nonprofits and 40+ public agencies, rather than a technology platform. Revenue is sourced from federal grants (HUD, VA HVRP), California state funding, county contracts (Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, Marin and multiple cities), large philanthropic grants (notably a $5M Day 1 Families Fund award in 2021), individual and corporate donations, employer matching gifts, planned giving, vehicle donations, and event fundraising (e.g., Swing for SHELTER golf tournament). Go-to-market is referral- and contract-driven via county 211 systems, public agency referrals, and community partnerships; services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries.

The leadership team is headed by Interim CEO Jenny Niklaus (with John Eckstrom documented as CEO), Interim CFO Liz Schaffer, and VP of Programs Brandon Wirth, operating under a Board chaired by Mark S.F. Mahaney (Managing Director, Evercore ISI) with directors drawn from Kaiser Permanente, U.S. Bancorp, John Muir Health, and other regional institutions. Headcount is in the 101–250 range, and the organization operates subsidiaries including SHELTER Solano, Inc., New Century Center, and Affordable Housing Association of Pittsburg.

Name

Shelter

Legal name

SHELTER, Inc.

Website

https://shelterinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SHELTER, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that delivers homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, and permanent supportive housing across Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Marin counties, funded by government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Affordable Housing

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Affordable housing
• Rental assistance
• Emergency shelter
• Homelessness prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Concord

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Financial donations from individuals, groups and employer matching programs. Tax-deductible contributions made online, by mail, or through workplace giving programs.
2. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employer matching gift programs where companies match employee contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations.
3. Vehicle Donations: Accepts most vehicles (cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles) through partnership with Cars2ndChance.
4. Stock Gifts: Accepts publicly traded exchange-listed stocks, common or preferred.
5. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Bequests in wills or living trusts, beneficiary designations on retirement funds or insurance policies, charitable gift annuities.
6. Government Grants and Contracts: Federal grants (HUD, VA, HVRP), state funding (California Department), and county contracts for homeless services, SSVF programs, and housing assistance.
7. Event Revenue: Revenue from fundraising events including golf tournaments, concerts, and auctions.
8. In-Kind Donations: Donations of goods including household items, personal care items, holiday goods, and Amazon wishlist items.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SHELTER, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides housing programs, rental assistance, and homelessness prevention services across four California counties. It operates emergency shelters, transitional and permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing properties, delivering wraparound services including case management, employment assistance, veterans and re-entry programs, and food services at no cost to clients.

Product overview

SHELTER, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of homelessness prevention and housing services across California. The organization operates emergency shelters, manages affordable housing properties, and offers specialized support programs. Core services include Eviction Prevention (short-term financial assistance), Emergency Shelter (24/7 support facilities), Long-Term Housing (permanent housing with HUD partnerships), and Property Management (affordable housing across multiple counties). Specialized programs serve Veterans (SSVF), Re-entry populations (Positive Futures), and Domestic Violence survivors. Support services include Case Management, Employment Assistance, and Housing Support using a Housing First approach. The organization operates shelter facilities including Mountain View Family Shelter in Martinez, Beck Avenue Navigation Center in Fairfield, Sacramento River District Shelter, and recently launched Casa Canal in Marin County with 41 permanent supportive housing units.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eviction Prevention Provides one-time financial assistance to help families and individuals remain in their homes or secure new housing when facing unexpected crises. Average financial assistance of $5,179 per household for housing costs.
• Emergency Shelter Safe, supportive shelter facilities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, offering 24/7 support, life skills training, health and wellness resources, and one-on-one guidance.
• Long-Term Housing Permanent housing programs with tailored assistance including temporary financial support, case management, and resources for long-term stability, including HUD-subsidized rental units.
• Property Management Over 30 years of dedicated property management providing safe, affordable housing for low-income households in Contra Costa and Solano Counties, including scattered-site master-leased properties.
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program providing free services to eligible Veterans and families including case management, assistance with VA benefits, and housing stability support for Veterans in Contra Costa County.
• Positive Futures Program Re-entry program helping formerly incarcerated individuals find permanent housing, providing incentives, furnishings, and ongoing support for those on parole.
• Domestic Violence Survivor Program Specialized program for survivors of domestic violence providing safe housing, counseling, and support to tackle obstacles including driver's license completion, employment, and education.
• Case Management Services Personalized coaching helping individuals identify and address root causes of homelessness, including employment training, mental health referrals, benefits enrollment, and community resource connections.
• Employment Assistance One-on-one career development services including job readiness training, placement assistance, workshops, career coaching, transportation support, and short-term certification programs.
• Casa Canal Permanent supportive housing development in Marin County with 32 studio units, eight one-bedroom apartments, and a two-bedroom manager unit, featuring community room and landscaped courtyard.
• Mountain View Family Shelter Emergency family shelter in Martinez providing accommodations for families with case management, tutoring, nutrition instruction, parenting workshops, and employment services.
• Beck Avenue Navigation Center (BANC) Year-round emergency shelter on 3.5 acres in Fairfield with dormitory rooms, family-sized rooms, apartment-style units, dining hall, dog kennels, and recreational areas.
• Sacramento River District Shelter Year-round emergency shelter in Sacramento's River District for individuals providing case management, employment services, health and wellness checks, and individualized success plans.
• Solano Dining Hall and Kitchen New dining hall and commercial kitchen at SHELTER Solano providing meals to shelter residents and culinary arts skills training for self-sufficiency.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,824 individuals helped last year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marin Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Selected SHELTER, Inc. to provide on-site services at Casa Canal. County agency partner for Marin County services.
• Abode ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing housing and homeless services in the Bay Area
• Bay Area Community Services (BACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner offering mental health, housing, and workforce services
• Catholic Charities of the East BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing critical family needs and rental assistance
• Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partner providing food resources for shelter residents
• Eden HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Casa Canal project - developed and built the 41-unit permanent supportive housing in Marin County
• John Stewart CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty management partner providing additional support at Casa Canal
• Contra Costa CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner for homeless services, Continuum of Care, and HMIS participation
• Solano CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partner for Beck Avenue Navigation Center and homeless services
• Sacramento CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partner operating River District shelter for individuals
• Marin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partner for behavioral health services at Casa Canal
• City of VallejocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on affordable housing created by Factory OS for chronically homeless
• Cities (Antioch, Concord, Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, Elk Grove, Roseville)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple city partners providing community development support and housing partnerships
• United Way Bay AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for community resources and referrals
• California Prison Industry AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner for re-entry services for formerly incarcerated individuals
• WellSpace HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing health services to shelter residents
• Center for Employment OpportunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment services partner for participants
• Rubicon ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob placement, legal services, and financial literacy partner
• Loaves and Fishes (CCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless services partner in Contra Costa County
• Community Against Sexual HarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization referring domestic violence survivors to SHELTER programs
• Eden Housing Resident ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident services partner at Casa Canal providing additional support services

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and employment services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable Housing First + supportive services model, but operates primarily in Southern California.
• Samaritan House: San Mateo County nonprofit providing shelter, food, rental assistance, and case management to homeless and low-income residents. Comparable three-tier (prevention/shelter/housing) model but operates in an adjacent Northern California county.
• Hope of the Valley: Nonprofit operating emergency shelters, bridge housing, and permanent supportive housing across Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley. Comparable shelter-plus-PSH operating model but focuses on Southern California rather than Northern California.

Broad incumbents

• Eden Housing: Major Bay Area affordable housing developer and operator. Co-developed Casa Canal with SHELTER, Inc. and provides resident services; broader portfolio but partners rather than competes with SHELTER in the four operating counties.

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of the East Bay: Faith-based nonprofit providing rental assistance, housing, immigration, and family services in the East Bay. Core partner of SHELTER, Inc.; competes for overlapping county contracts and serves similar low-income populations in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
• HomeFirst (formerly EHC LifeBuilders): Largest nonprofit provider of homeless services in Santa Clara County operating emergency shelters, interim housing, and permanent supportive housing with reentry and veteran programs. Highly comparable service portfolio and Housing First approach.
• Abode Services: Bay Area nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Listed as a core nonprofit partner of SHELTER, Inc., operates across overlapping geographies with similar service model including Housing First and master leasing.
• Bay Area Community Services (BACS): Nonprofit providing mental health, housing, and workforce services across the Bay Area. Mutual nonprofit partner of SHELTER, Inc. with substantially overlapping service categories (housing, case management, employment) and target populations.

Emerging players

• Lutheran Social Services of Northern California: Faith-affiliated nonprofit operating refugee resettlement, foster care, and housing programs across Northern California including Sacramento. Adjacent service provider serving overlapping vulnerable populations with some county-contract overlap.
• Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa: Nonprofit serving homeless individuals in Contra Costa County with meals, day services, and shelter support. Listed as SHELTER partner; partial overlap on feeding and day programs but does not operate PSH at SHELTER's scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SHELTERIncCA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shelterinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/shelterinc_ca
• Xx.com/shelterincccc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shelter