The Budget Act of 2021 appropriated $795 million for CDSS housing programs and made changes to program rules.
The CalWORKs Housing Support Program is intended to foster housing stability for families experiencing homelessness in the CalWORKs program. Housing Support Program funds must be used to support projects that follow evidence-based housing interventions, including rapid rehousing. All state-funded housing program must follow the core components of Housing First. The Budget Act amended the program to expand eligibility to families at risk of homelessness, including families who have not yet received an eviction notice.
The Bringing Families Home Program provides housing related services to families receiving child welfare services, increase family reunification, and prevent foster care placements. Funds can be used for evidence-based housing interventions including rapid rehousing, supportive housing and/or subsidies to make rental housing affordable. The Budget Act amended the program to expand eligibility to families where the living situation cannot accommodate the child or multiple children in the home, and that families at risk of homelessness can include families who have not yet received an eviction notice. The Budget Act also exempts counties and tribes from the dollar-for-dollar match requirements for one-time funds awarded between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2024.
The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program provides outreach, case management, disability benefits advocacy, and housing assistance. The Budget Act amended the program to exempt counties and tribes from the dollar-for-dollar match requirements for one-time funds awarded between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2024, that individuals at risk of homelessness can include families who have not yet received an eviction notice, and that the interim assistance reimbursement requirement is waived through June 30, 2024.
The Home Safe Program provides housing-related assistance using evidence-based practices for homeless assistance and prevention for persons involved in Adult Protective Services. The Budget Act amended the program to include that persons at risk of homelessness can include families who have not yet received an eviction notice, that persons in the process of Adult Protective Services intake and individuals served through a tribal social services agency who appeal to be eligible for Adult Protective Services, and that counties and tribes from the dollar-for-dollar match requirements for one-time funds awarded between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2024.
The Budget Act appropriated an additional $150 million to continue Project Roomkey. (ACWDL July 19, 2021.)