CalWORKs Housing Support Program

The CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) was established in 2014 to foster housing stability for families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in the CalWORKs program.

HSP 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) 2023-24, fifty-six (56) counties operate HSP and each program is tailored to meet the needs of the local community. More information about participating HSP grantees is available in County Fiscal Letter (CFL) 23/24-35.

Eligibility/For Whom

HSP assists families in the CalWORKs program that are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. To ensure that funding remains prioritized for those with the highest vulnerabilities, CDSS recommends that counties use the majority of funds to support people experiencing homelessness. For additional details and definitions on eligibility, please refer to Attachment One of the All County Welfare Directors Letter dated December 13, 2021.

Program Funding

HSP was established in 2014 by Senate Bill 855 with a $20 million budget. In FY 2024-25, HSP redistributed $79.3 million associated with FY 2021-22, FY 2022-23, and FY 2023-24 funds (previously allocated All County Welfare Directors Letter Page Two and displayed in County Fiscal Letters (CFL) 21/22-90, CFL 22/23-43, and CFL 23/24-35). The redistribution maximizes statewide impact of the significant and historic one-time funds appropriated in FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23. An ongoing, annual appropriation of $95 million with an expenditure deadline of June 30, 2025 has also been made available to counties for FY 2024-25.

How to Apply

The Housing Support Program is administered through CalWORKs at the county level. Contact your local county welfare office to apply and learn more.

Contact Us

CDSS Housing and Homelessness Division
housing@dss.ca.gov
(916) 651-5155

Resources and Information

County Points of Contact (Updated October 2024)
ACWDL (June 28, 2024): CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) Program Planning Allocation Notice for FY 2024-25 Funding and Redistribution of FY 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 Funds
CFL 23-24-35 (December 19, 2023): Fiscal Year 2023-24 California Work Opportunity And Responsibility To Kids Housing Support Program Allocation
ACIN I-54-23 (September 29, 2023): CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) Program Update Notification
ACWDL (September 27, 2023): Notice of funding for CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP)
County Fiscal Letter (CFL) 22/23-43 (December 20, 2022): Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Bringing Families Home (BFH), Home Safe, the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP), and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Housing Support Program (CalWORKs HSP) Allocation
ACWDL (September 21, 2022) Notice of Funding for CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP), Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program, Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP), and Home Safe Program
ACWDL (December 13, 2021): CalWORKs HSP Notice Of Funding And Expansion of Eligibility To Include Homelessness Prevention
CFL 21/22-90 (March 30, 2022): FY 21-22 CalWORKs HSP Planning Allocation
CFL 21/22-26 (September 24, 2021): Updated TANF Administrative and Non-Administrative Cost Claiming Policy and Instructions
CFL 21/22-05 (July 22, 2021) Fiscal Year 2021-22 California Work Opportunity And Responsibility To Kids Housing Support Program Planning Allocation
ACWDL (May 13, 2021): CalWORKs HSP
ACWDL (July 14, 2020): CalWORKs HSP
CFL 20/21-01 (July 13, 2020): FY 2020-21 HSP Planning Allocation
ACWDL (March 19, 2020): Interim Housing And Homeless Program Guidance and Recommendations During COVID-19
CFL 19/20-69 (March 9, 2020): Updated FY 2019-20 HSP Allocation
ACL 19-114: (December 13, 2019): Implementation of SB 1380: Housing First
ACWDL (August 2, 2018): Implementation of Revised CalWORKs HSP Monthly Status Report (HSP 14)
Welfare and Institutions Code 11330-11330.5
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