California eviction and homeless prevention programs.
Non-profit agencies across California participate offer a wide variety of homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Many charities or government agencies are part of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care program or offer Emergency Solution Grants (ESG).
There are several components to it, but the overall objective it take a pro-active approach to prevent evictions and to return the currently homeless to safe, affordable, and permanent housing. The organizations listed below that participate offer services and help families gain self-sufficiency. Examples of what may be provided include homeless shelter, transitional housing, free legal aid to tenants, emergency funds to pay rent or the security deposit on a new home, and much more.
Too many families in California are facing evictions from their homes or apartments due to a challenging job market, the cost of monthly rent in California or maybe a one time crisis, such as an unexpected expense. Every organization across the state works to prevent homelessness in the first place. While this may be a goal, unfortunately it is difficult to achieve due to many factors. One of the main obstacles is that funding from Continuum of Care or other government programs is very limited, so most families will not be able to qualify for financial help.
In addition, even more important, the underlying cause of the hardship needs to be addressed, and the client needs to work with case managers towards self-sufficiency. This means that any type of cash assistance will not be paid out to those that are not strongly committed to, or on the path to self-sufficiency. So these are just a few of the challenges faced.
Financial help and grants to stop homelessness in California
California residents with an eviction notice may be able to qualify for one time, emergency rental assistance. However, as noted the funds are limited and will come with conditions. If an agency does not have the money to assist you, they may be able to provide referrals to other local charities or non-profits. Some of the organizations will also partner with pro-bono law firms that also offer advice and tips on how to remain housed and prevent an eviction. So while funds to pay a rent expense are limited, there are other options available as well.
Continuum of Care also focuses on coordinating short term housing. Individuals, including the disabled, seniors, or veterans, that are homeless may be able to use these facilities. Government grants are used to keep shelters running in the state. There are also low income, transitional housing units and apartments available. These programs will also offer guests with ongoing case management as well as self-sufficiency. This will try to address the root cause of homelessness, and it may offer information on job placement, financial literacy and other resources.The currently homeless can also get help in locating and paying for permanent housing in California. Clients can explore low income apartments, public housing units, and other options. There may also be short term loans or funds to pay for a security deposit, a utility connection fee, or first months rent.
Other services are available in California from the Continuum of Care (CoC). The agencies that receive the government grants from HUD may customize their own programs and plans. Some agencies may offer free legal representation to contest illegal evictions. Or more long term transitional housing may be offered for periods of up to 2 years. Other resources may be for those with a mental illness or some form of disability. The bottom line is that grants are used to address a wide variety of housing needs.
CalWORKs Eviction and Homeless Assistance is available in a very limited number of situations. Most of the rental assistance is for the unemployed, very low income, or disabled. The state may offer one time cash grants for paying a portion of back rent if the applicant has an eviction notice from their landlord.
There may also be help for those families or individuals that are currently homeless. CalWORKs may be able to offer free motel or hotel rooms (though it is rare) or money to pay for a security deposit on a new, low income home in California. Other programs for the homeless include shelters, transitional housing, and placement into low income apartments. More on CalWORKs Housing Assistance.
Another option in California is the Emergency Solutions Grant. This is a federal government created program that operates on an annual basis. Charities as well as local community action agencies may receive funds that are used to pay back rent to stop evictions, or the federal money is used to pay for the operation of shelter or low income housing units in the state. ESG, as it is widely known, may also help the currently homeless pay for either a rental or utility deposit on their new apartment as well, and the agencies below may have referrals to it.
The grants from ESG can be used for numerous housing expenses, but the majority is for tenants that are in rent arrears. The government also opens this program for all races, religions, and religions, so immigrants and non-English speakers can apply for eviction help. Locate additional resources that offer emergency help for rent.
Additional homeless prevention programs in California
Federal government HUD grants for deposits or rent, legal aid, rehousing, and other programs can also be used to stop homeless in the state. Some agencies are focused on one specific county, and they both try to prevent an eviction from occurring and help people find a new apartment to live in. Find major cities and counties below, or scroll down for more resources.
Agencies that focus on homeless assistance in California
Alameda County
Alameda Co. Housing and Community Development
224 West Winton Avenue, Rm. 108
Hayward, CA 94544
Phone: (510) 670-9797
Bakersfield/Kern County
United Way of Kern County
5405 Stockdale Highway Suite 200
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: (661) 834-2734
This agency has databases of local emergency assistance programs, including for those facing homelessness.
Butte County/Chico
Community Action Agency of Butte County
Address - 2039 Forest Ave
Chico, CA 95928
Phone: (895) 4474
Low income tenants facing eviction can get help. Case management is combined with legal aid or money for a portion of rent arrears to stop homelessness.
Central Sierra (Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne Counties)
Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency
427 N. Highway 49, Suite 302
Sonora, CA 95370
Call (209) 533-1397 for referrals.
Contra Costa County
Health, Housing & Homeless Services
Address is 1350 Arnold Dr # 202
Martinez, CA 94553
Main number is 925-608-6700
Dos Rios (Colusa, Glenn, Trinity, Tehama, Lake, Sierra, Plumas and Lassen Counties)
Glenn County Human Resources Agency
420 E. Laurel Street
Willows, CA 95988
Phone: (530) 934-1468
El Dorado County
Human Services
Location: 937 Spring Street
Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 621-6389
Fresno/Madera County
Administrator of the program is the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care
Fresno, CA 93774
The contact information os info@fresnoMaderaHomeless.org
Partnering with non-profits and churches, there may be shelters available, grants to pay security deposits, and other help for the homeless and working poor, including single parents in the state.
Glendale CoC
141 N. Glendale Room 202
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: (818) 548-3720
Humboldt County
Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services
Location is 507 F Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 441-4628
Imperial County
WomanHaven, Inc DBA Center for Family Solutions
777 W. Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
For information, dial (760) 353-6922
Kings/Tulare Counties
P.O. Box 1742
Visalia, CA 93279
Phone: (559) 684-4254
Long Beach
Homeless Services Coordinator
Location is 2525 Grand Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815
Telephone: (562) 570-4003
Los Angeles City & County
LAHSA
Main address is 453 S. Spring Street, 12th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90013
Phone: (213) 683-3324
The government agency can coordinate legal support for preventing evictions, information on ESG grants, and other housing support.
Marin County
Health & Human Services
899 Northgate Ave., Suite 104
San Rafael, CA 94903
Dial (415) 473-3501
Mendocino County
Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 839
Ukiah, CA 95482
Call (707) 463-7968
Merced County
Human Services Agency
Address is 2115 W. Wardrobe Ave.
Merced, California 95349
209-385-3000
The non-profit provides support such as motel vouchers as well as information to government grant programs to stop eviction. The formerly homeless can also get information on shelter, security deposit assistance, and other housing needs.
Merced County Association of Governments
369 West 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 723-3153
Monterey County
Coalition of Homeless Service Providers
220 12th Street
Marina, CA 93933
Telephone - (831) 883-3080
Napa County
Community Action Napa Valley
Location of office - 2521 Old Sonoma Road
Napa, CA 94558
Phone: (707) 253-6103
Oxnard
300 West Third Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
Phone: (805) 385-8044
The resident supports both homeowners and tenants that are facing homelessness as part of the Continuum of Care.
Pasadena
Location - 649 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Room 202
Pasadena, CA 91103
Dial (626) 744-6701
Placer County
Placer Greater Collaborative
P.O. Box 215156
Sacramento, CA 95821
Phone: (916) 924-0534
Redding/Shasta County
Homeless CoC Coordinator
1450 Court Street
Redding, CA 96001
Main Phone: (530) 245-6118
Riverside City & County
4060 County Circle Drive
Riverside, CA 92503
Phone: (951) 358-5636
The county may offer short term shelter or motel/hotel vouchers. Families moving from transitional housing can apply for rent or utility deposit programs. The goal of the agency is to stop evictions in the county.
Sacramento County
In an emergency, money may be issued from local agencies to help qualified low income families with paying any back rent owed. The focus is on individuals that are otherwise self-sufficient and that have a pay or quite notice from their landlord. Call (916) 498-1000 for referrals.
Tenants with a legal eviction, sometimes also called a unlawful detainer, get get help as well. Attorneys can provide free advice and representation, and dial Legal Services of Northern California at (916) 551-2150.
San Bernardino City & County
Human Services Office of Homeless Services
850 E. Foothill Blvd.
Rialto, CA 92376
Telephone number is (909) 252-4067
San Diego County
Continuum of Care Coordinator
3989 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 694-4804
Non-profit and government agencies partner together to stop homelessness and rehouse residents.
San Francisco
Local Homeless Coordinating Board
1440 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 558-1825
San Joaquin County
Community Development Department
1810 Hazelton Avenue
Stockton, CA 95205
Phone: (209) 468-3157
San Luis Obispo County
Address is County Government Center
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5715
San Mateo County
San Mateo County Office of Housing
Address is 262 Harbor Blvd., Bldg. A
Belmont, California 94002
For information, dial (530) 802-3378
Information on landlord/tenant mediation, legal support to help stop evictions, and other services are available.
Santa Ana/Anaheim/Orange County
1770 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 480-2991
San Buenaventura/Ventura County
County Executive Office
800 S. Victoria Ave. L1940 Ventura, CA 93009
Telephone number is (805) 654-2871
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County - Department of Mental Health
838 South Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: (408) 793-6451
Santa Cruz County
701 Ocean Street, Room 418
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Primary phone: (831) 454-2580
Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County
105 E. Anapamu Street, Suite 105
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2062
Phone: (805) 568-3520
Families that are behind on their rent, energy bills, or living in unsafe housing can learn about state and non-profit agencies that offer rent or deposit help, mediation, and short term housing in California.
Solano County
Solano County Health & Social Services Department
Address is 275 Beck Avenue. MS 5-200
Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: (707) 422-8810
Sonoma County
Continuum of Care Coordinator
Mail address is 708 Gravenstein Highway N, PMB#95
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Dial (707) 565-1977
Stanislaus County
Non-profit and charitable programs.
Agencies serve Modesto and other regions of the county.
Phone: 877-211-7826
Assistance is wide ranging, and includes everything from case management, no interest loans, to applications for financial support for housing or paying utility costs.
Yolo County
Coordinator, Placer Greater Collaborative
Mailing address is P.O. Box 215156
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 924-0534
Yuba-Sutter Continuum of Care
Sutter-Yuba Mental Health Services
Address - 1965 Live Oak Blvd
Yuba City, CA 95991
Main phone - 530-822-7200
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