Bringing Families Home Program
The Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program was established in 2016 to reduce the number of families in the child welfare system experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, to increase family reunification and to prevent foster care placement.
BFH offers financial assistance and housing-related wraparound supportive services, including but not limited to: rental assistance, housing navigation, case management, security deposits, utility payments, moving costs, interim shelter assistance, legal services, and credit repair.
As of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, there are 53 counties and 25 Tribes and tribal entities operating a BFH program, with each program tailored to meet the needs of the local community. More information about participating BFH grantees is available in
CFL 22/23-43.
Eligibility
BFH targets families involved with the child welfare system who are experiencing, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness. For BFH, homelessness is defined in the Welfare and Institutions Code 16523. Among those who are eligible, programs should first prioritize child welfare-involved families who are literally homeless, followed by those who are at risk of imminently losing their housing. For more information and definitions, please review the All County Welfare Directors Letter (ACWDL) dated February 11, 2022.
Program Funding
BFH was established in FY 2016-17 by Assembly Bill (AB) 1603, with a $10 million appropriation available over three years. In FY 2019-20, BFH was authorized an additional $25 million available over three years (July 2019 through June 2022). The program required a dollar-for-dollar grantee match.
The Budget Act of 2021 appropriated $92.5 million, match-exempt General Fund (GF) for BFH, reappropriated by the Budget Act of 2024 (Assembly Bill 107), available for expenditure from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025.
The Budget Act of 2022 appropriated an additional $92.5 million, match-exempt GF for BFH, $80 million of which was reappropriated by the Budget Act of 2024 (Assembly Bill 107), with $40 million available for expenditure through June 30, 2026, and another $40 million available for expenditure through June 30, 2027.
The match waiver for BFH funds has been extended through June 30, 2027.
How to Apply
The BFH program is administered locally. Contact the CDSS Housing and Homelessness Division to learn more.