Governmental Assistance Programs

The Housing Support Program (HSP)

Aguilar family finds housing

About the Program

Implemented in 2014, The Housing Support Program (HSP) assists homeless families on Calworks (a public assistance program that provides financial assistance and services to eligible families that have a child(ren) in the home) and CalFresh (a public assistance program for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table) obtain and maintain permanent housing. These clients can range from young, first-time mothers, families fleeing domestic violence, two-parent households, and parents with disabled children. This program is administered through the Department of Social Services (DSS) and operated by HRC.

How to Apply

Note: To be applicable for HSP, you must be a CalWorks AND CalFresh Recipient.

If you ARE A RECIPIENT of CalWorks and CalFresh please reach out to your eligibility worker with the DSS. Your worker will send a referral to DSS where you will be contacted for an assessment through the Coordinated Assessment and Referral System (CARS). Your referral will remain on the waitlist until HRC has an opening and your referral is next on the list. For more information on Monterey County’s Department of Social Services, please visit Monterey County's Department of Social Service webpage.

If you ARE NOT A RECIPIENT of CalWorks or CalFresh Please see below for how to apply to either or both programs.

2 Ways to apply for CalWorks:

2 Ways to apply for CalFresh:

The Family Stabilization Program (FSP)

Family

About the Program

The Family Stabilization Program (FSP) assists homeless families on CalWorks (a public assistance program that provides financial assistance and services to eligible families that have a child(ren) in the home and Calfresh (a public assistance program for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table) obtain and maintain permanent housing.

Along with housing homeless families, FSP also assists families who have a 30/60/90 day notice or eviction by paying rental arrears and, if appropriate, relocating the family into more affordable housing. The individuals in this program have a team of Monterey County social workers and supervisors working to support them, as they face not only homelessness, but additional factors such as (but not limited to): narcotic use, alcoholism, involvement with Child Protective Services, and/or Behavioral Health issues. HRC participates in this process by helping the client find housing for these families and encouraging employment for steady income.

This program is administered through the Department of Social Services (DSS) and operated by HRC.

How to Apply

Note: To be applicable for FSP, you must be a CalWorks AND CalFresh Recipient.

If you ARE A RECIPIENT of CalWorks and CalFresh Please reach out to your eligibility worker with the DSS. Your referral will be looked at by the FSP/HSP team to determine which program you are eligible for and, if chosen to go into FSP, your referral is sent to HRC shortly after. For more information on Monterey County’s Department of Social Services, please visit Monterey County's Department of Social Service webpage.

If you ARE NOT A RECIPIENT of CalWorks or CalFresh Please see below for how to apply to either or both programs.

2 Ways to apply for CalWorks:

2 Ways to Apply for CalFresh:

Bringing Families Home

Bringing Families Home Photo

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) 2021-22, there are 51 counties and one tribe 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 21/22-99.

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.

How to Enroll:

Referrals are sent by Child Protective Service Caseworkers to Monterey County's Family and Children Services Department where your referral is placed on a brief waitlist. Please speak with your CPS worker to have your referral sent to the BFH.

The Prop 47 Behavioral Health Program (BH)

Jeffrey Nixon

On November 4, 2014 Proposition 47 was voted in by Californians which allowed for certain non-serious or non-violent felonies to be reduced to misdemeanors. The money that was saved from the incarceration reduction was used to help fund Proposition 47. One of the services funded is HRC’s Prop 47 Behavioral Health Program (BH), which assists formerly incarcerated individuals on a substance treatment plan to located and maintain permanent housing. This individuals must be from south county and be successfully progressing through their treatment plan.

Clients enrolled into this program have referrals sent from Sun Street Center or Monterey County Behavioral Health and cannot be self-referred. For more information on Prop 47, please visit Monterey County's Prop 47 webpage.