In California, there are various grants and funding opportunities available to support initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness, providing shelter and supportive services, and promoting housing stability for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. These grants may be administered by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and other entities. Here are some potential sources of grants for the homeless in California:
- California Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP): HHAP provides funding to local governments and Continuums of Care (CoCs) to support efforts to address homelessness, including emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, rental assistance, and supportive services.
- Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP): HEAP provides one-time funding to local governments and Continuums of Care to address homelessness through emergency shelter, navigation centers, safe parking programs, and other interventions.
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): ESG funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support homeless assistance programs, including emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing.
- California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) Program: CESH provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations to support emergency shelter, housing relocation and stabilization services, and homelessness prevention activities.
- CalWORKs Housing Support Program: This program provides funding to eligible counties to support housing stability for families receiving CalWORKs assistance, including homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services.
- Homeless Youth and Exploitation (HYEP) Program: HYEP funds are available to support programs and services for homeless and exploited youth, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services.
- Local Foundations and Philanthropic Organizations: Private foundations and philanthropic organizations in California may offer grants to support homeless services and housing programs. These grants may target specific populations, such as veterans, families, or youth experiencing homelessness.
- Federal Continuum of Care (CoC) Program: The CoC Program provides funding to local homeless assistance programs, including transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services. Grants are awarded competitively to local CoCs through HUD.
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program: VASH provides rental assistance vouchers to homeless veterans, which are administered by local public housing authorities in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Local Government Grants and Initiatives: Many cities and counties in California offer grants and funding opportunities to support homeless services and housing programs at the local level.
- Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): CDBG funds allocated to local governments can be used to support a wide range of community development activities, including homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, and affordable housing programs.
Individuals, organizations, and communities in California seeking grants for the homeless should research available opportunities, review eligibility criteria, and submit strong grant applications that align with the priorities of funders. Collaboration, community partnerships, and stakeholder engagement are essential for securing grants and implementing successful homeless services and housing programs in the state.