Housing

Housing and Disability Advocacy program funding for Fiscal Year 2025-26

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The Housing and Disability Advocacy (HDAP) program has been allocated $44.6 million through June 30, 2028.  HDAP provides housing-related financial assistance and supportive services The HDAP program provides housing supports and disability benefit advocacy to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and who are likely eligible for disability benefits.

The requirement to collect Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) from HDAP participants has been indefinitely removed.  IAR is collection of funds spent on the participant from the participant’s retroactive SSI award.  HDAP grantees may continue collecting IAR, as determined by the local program. However, client participation in IAR collection process must not be a condition of enrollment into the HDAP or permanent housing tenancy.

Counties operating a HDAP program will be required to implement a local complaint resolution process.  If program participants are not satisfied with the result of the local complaint resolution process, they will have the right to a California Department of Social Services (CDSS) administrative hearing.  Counties will be required to provide certain types of housing-related assistance pending the outcome of the hearing.  Assistance paid while the hearing is pending may be subject to overpayment.

Counties will be required to issue individualized, written housing plans outlining the housing related assistance to be provided to Home Safe recipients.

CDSS is expected to issue instructions about complaint resolution and housing plans in March, 2027.  Counties will be required to implement complaint resolution and housing plans within six months after CDSS issues its guidance.  (ACWDL, November 10, 2025.)

Bringing Families Home program funding for Fiscal Year 2025-26

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The Bringing Families Home (BFH) program has been allocated $81 million through June 30, 2028.  BFH provides housing-related financial assistance and supportive services to families who are receiving child welfare services, including tribal child welfare services, and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The dollar-for-dollar match requirement for Home Safe grantees has been removed.

Counties operating a BFH program will be required to implement a local complaint resolution process.  If program participants are not satisfied with the result of the local complaint resolution process, they will have the right to a California Department of Social Services (CDSS) administrative hearing.  Counties will be required to provide certain types of housing-related assistance pending the outcome of the hearing.  Assistance paid while the hearing is pending may be subject to overpayment.

Counties will be required to issue individualized, written housing plans outlining the housing related assistance to be provided to Home Safe recipients.

CDSS is expected to issue instructions about complaint resolution and housing plans in March, 2027.  Counties will be required to implement complaint resolution and housing plans within six months after CDSS issues its guidance.  (ACWDL, November 3, 2025.)

Home Safe program funding for Fiscal Year 2025-26

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The Home Safe program has been allocated $83.9 million through June 30, 2028.  Home Safe provides housing-related assistance for individuals involved in Adult Protective Services who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and older and dependent adults who come to the attention of a Tribe or tribal grantee due to potential abuse or neglect.

The dollar-for-dollar match requirement for Home Safe grantees has been removed.

Counties operating a Home Safe program will be required to implement a local complaint resolution process.  If program participants are not satisfied with the result of the local complaint resolution process, they will have the right to a California Department of Social Services (CDSS) administrative hearing.  Counties will be required to provide certain types of housing related assistance pending the outcome of the hearing.  Assistance paid while the hearing is pending may be subject to overpayment.

Counties will be required to issue individualized, written housing plans outlining the housing related assistance to be provided to Home Safe recipients.

CDSS is expected to issue instructions about complaint resolution and housing plans  in March, 2027. Counties will be required to implement complaint resolution and housing plans within six months after CDSS issues its guidance.   (ACWDL, November 3, 2025.)

Funding for HDAP, Bringing Families Home and Home Safe programs

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced that a total of $209.4 million in new one-time funding has been allocated for the 2025-26 fiscal year for housing and homelessness programs. These funds come from the Budget Act of 2025 and will be distributed to counties and eligible Tribal grantees to continue and expand three programs: Bringing Families Home (BFH), the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP), and the Home Safe Program. The funding period for these programs will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Unlike past years, there are no matching requirements for counties or Tribal governments.

The Bringing Families Home program will receive $81 million to provide housing-related support to families in the child welfare system who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program is allocated $44.6 million in additional one-time funding, which will supplement the ongoing $25 million that the state already provides annually. This program focuses on outreach, housing assistance, and disability benefit advocacy for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who may qualify for disability benefits. The Home Safe program will receive $83.8 million to support older and dependent adults, including those involved with Adult Protective Services or Tribes, who are facing homelessness or housing instability due to abuse, neglect, or related risks.

Current grantees are strongly encouraged to continue running their existing programs without interruption to ensure families and individuals maintain housing stability and avoid returning to homelessness. Grantees may begin claiming eligible expenses for these programs starting July 1, 2025, and can continue to do so until final allocation amounts are released. The new one-time funding is in addition to any unspent funds from the 2021 and 2022 Budget Acts, which are still available for use. To avoid overspending before allocations are finalized, grantees are advised to limit their spending to the average quarterly amount they claimed in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

For Tribal grantees, CDSS will provide more details in separate communications and will engage directly with Tribal governments and organizations before finalizing allocations. For counties, the state has extended the deadline to spend and claim funding from earlier budget cycles, allowing grantees to use 2021 through 2024 program funds for two additional quarters, up to the December 2025. (ACWDL, July 30, 2025.)

Housing First guidelines for CDSS housing programs

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidelines for implementing Housing First Principles for CalWORKs Housing Support Program, Bringing Families Home, Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, and Home Safe.  Counties must design and implement these programs in accordance with Housing First.

Housing First is an evidence-based approach that connects individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to permanent housing as quickly as possible.  Housing First also offers voluntary supportive services as needed and requested without making housing contingent on participation in supportive services.  Housing First follows the basic principle that everyone is ready for housing, regardless of the complexity or severity of their needs, and stable housing is the foundation for achieving other goals.

Other foundational principals of Housing First include:

  • Social Services and care coordination are key elements of housing stability
  • Housing First promotes flexibility, individualized support, client choice, and autonomy, and is not one size fits all.
  • Housing First operates across the spectrum of housing interventions, and is not limited to one type of program.
  • Supportive services are offered throughout the recipient’s time in the program.

Housing First must be incorporated into all aspects of program design, including written program polices and procedures.  Housing First must be followed throughout the duration of service delivery, not just at enrollment in the program.

Counties must work collaboratively with recipients to develop individualized housing and service plans.

Housing First has eleven core components:

  1. Tenant screen and selection practices must promote accepting applicants regardless of their sobriety, use of substances, completion of treatment, or participation in services.
  2. Applicants are not rejected because of poor credit or financial history, poor or lack of rental history, criminal convictions unrelated to tenancy, or behaviors that indicate a lack of housing readiness.
  3. Counties must accept referrals directly from shelters, street outreach, drop-in centers, and other parts of the crises response system used by people experiencing homelessness.
  4. Supportive Services must emphasize engagement and problem solving over therapeutic goals and service plans that do not have predetermined goals.
  5. Participation in services or program compliance is not a condition of permanent housing tenancy.
  6. Tenants should have a leave that meets all legal requirements.
  7. Using alcohol of drugs, by itself without other lease violations, is not a reason for eviction.
  8. In communities with coordinated assessment and entry systems, eligible tenants should be prioritized on criteria other than first-come-first serve.
  9. Case managers and services coordinators should be trained in actively use evidence-based practices.
  10. Services must be informed by a harm-reduction philosophy.
  11. The project and specific apartment may include special physical features that accommodate disabilities, reduce harm, and promote health, community, and independence.

(ACL 24-88, November 15, 2024.)

Language access requirements for Public and Indian Housing programs

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The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and other Public and Indian Housing (PIH) grantees on ensuring meaningful access to programs for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, require recipients of federal financial assistance to provide meaningful access to their programs for LEPs. LEPs are individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English.

HUD recommends PHA’s and PIH grantees conduct a 4-factor analysis, develop a language access plan, and provide appropriate language assistance.

Step 1 of the 4-factor analysis reviews the number of LEP persons served or in the eligible service population. Step 2 assesses the frequency of interaction with the program. Step 3 assesses the importance of the program to LEP persons. Finally, Step 4, assesses the available resources and costs.

Following the four-factor analysis, agencies should develop Language Access Plan (LAP) that includes identifying persons needing assistance, training staff, translating essential documents, providing interpreters for meetings, and engaging in effective outreach to seek input from the LEP community to best revise the action plan.

To provide appropriate language assistance, PHA’s and PIH grantees are advised to identify information that must be translated (for example – eviction notices, security info, emergency plans), develop procedures with staff to identify potential LEP’s and utilize community resources/partnerships to help with language services.

HUD allows the use of program funds for LEP-related activities. PHAs can use Operating Fund program subsidies to facilitate access for LEP persons in public housing. Examples of LEP activities include providing translated relocation notices, and interpretation services during important HUD meetings. Additionally, 10% of Capital Fund grants can be utilized for management improvements and enhancing communication channels for LEP individuals. Examples of LEP activities include upgrading online systems for program participant applications, and allowing recipients to apply in languages other than English.

For the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, administrative fees and unrestricted net positions (UNP) can be allocated to provide language assistance services, including oral briefings, hearings, and software upgrades for non-English applicants. Mainstream Voucher and Emergency Housing Voucher programs additionally allow the use of administrative and service fees for LEP-related activities. PIH grantees should consult the competitive grant Notice of Funding Opportunity and/or Grant Agreement to use of funds is meeting LEP requirements.

The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development emphasizes the importance of including LEP policies and procedures in publicly accessible materials to ensure compliance in all contracts/subcontracts.  (PIH Notice 2024-04, January 31, 2024.)