By Lisa Thibodeau

April Ludwig is the CEO of Hope Cooperative, a nonprofit that provides supportive housing and mental health services in Sacramento County. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she took the helm in September 2023, fully transitioning into her role in January.

We spoke with Ludwig  about her work incentivizing landlords to accept housing vouchers, why she wants to tell a more complete story of homelessness and how this job is a full circle moment for her.

Tell me about your organization and how it relates to Sacramento’s affordable housing crisis?

Hope Cooperative is a nonprofit organization that has been in Sacramento County for 43 years and in Yolo County for the past three years. We provide services to vulnerable individuals [more than 10,000 people each year] in our communities focusing primarily on mental health services, substance abuse disorders and homelessness. We have a partnership with Sacramento County and programs that address the individual’s immediate and long-term needs. 

We also have an outpatient component, so adults can come in without an appointment and get connected to services. The county is a great partner in understanding that for people who are already experiencing many challenges to be able to walk in and receive help without another barrier is important.

What do you see as the major factors driving lack of affordable housing in the Sacramento region? 

We see, of course, economic factors; the rising costs of land and construction, and inflation comes into that. Our population continues to increase, which exacerbates the already limited supply. I think policy challenges exist, and the movement that we want to see is sometimes slowing down. Systemic barriers still exist and we continue to see racial inequities and then displacement in our homeless population. The sweeping of encampments continues to be an issue.

What do you see as the most promising solutions to addressing the issue of housing affordability?

Incentivizing homeowners [landlords] to accept vouchers is a really good opportunity. In May of 2024, we hosted a housing event to educate homeowners about how our organization works directly with Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and HUD. We have case managers who work with landlords to ensure that properties are being taken care of which decreases their risk.  

Continued advocacy for legislation is needed to ensure we are being thoughtful about the practices coming on board and how they impact people. We don’t always invite in the community who has a lot of knowledge when legislation and practices are coming into play and that’s a missed opportunity.

What evidence exists to show the effectiveness of these solutions?

Our data shows that when landlords are incentivized to accept residents with vouchers and are supported through case-management and brokerage service, housing placements increase, tenant stability improves, and landlord satisfaction rises. Financial guarantees, streamlined processes and ongoing support provide a win-win solution for both homeowners and individuals experiencing homelessness.

What limitations around these solutions exist?

Staffing issues [industrywide] are a concern because this limits our ability to work with people and we are facing a shortage right now. We really need to increase salaries so we can shore up the support for these valuable services to continue. 

We can do a better job in terms of communication, like with the media in educating people on the work that goes into housing a person so that the community understands where the money is going. Every dollar we get goes right back into services to address homelessness. We are continuously doing the work and I don’t think those stories are being told.

Why did you want this job?

I have my own experience with family who have had mental health, housing and substance abuse challenges. I get to support individuals who go through these life challenges and be an example. This is part of your experience, but the traumas of childhood don’t have to define who you are in adulthood.

The work that is being done at Hope Cooperative is not only transformative, it is innovative and thoughtful and I wanted to be a part of that. I was in a place to give back for the support and the opportunities I was given. I want to affect change and also make sure that people see themselves when they look at me. Not because we have the same stories, but because you can be a change agent in your own life.

This Q&A has been edited for length, clarity and flow.

This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. Solving Sacramento is supported by funding from the James Irvine Foundation and the James B. McClatchy Foundation. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento Observer and Univision 19. Sign up for our monthly newsletter.