Get help paying rent in California 

Another California rent assistance program is the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program, which helps very low-income people who are homeless or facing imminent eviction.

Cash grants are offered only once in a lifetime and a number of conditions must be met. For example, the parents must be unemployed, disabled, or deceased. The state of California has also established some income criteria.

While most families use the funds to avoid eviction, CalWORKs also offers temporary and permanent housing options. As part of its services, the Homeless Assistance (HA) program offers cash grants to pay rent , free vouchers for a motel (temporary housing), or financial help to obtain permanent housing.

Below you will find more details about the help offered by the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program.

temporary HA

The program offers help to families to cover the costs of temporary housing while they look for work and a house or apartment to live.

permanent HA

The program helps families secure long-term housing and prevent eviction.

Emergency rental assistance 

CalWORKs Homeless Assistance offers funds to pay two months of back rent  to eligible California residents.

Any type of temporary financial aid will depend on funding levels . However, in some cases, homeless people may qualify for up to 16 days of short-term payments or vouchers for a shelter or motel. There are limits to the amounts paid, these could range from $50 to $100 per day, depending on factors such as family size. In addition, the participant must actively search for permanent housing , submit proof of that housing search, and provide the case manager with certification of housing costs. 

Cash funds can be used to cover various expenses, including the following: 

• Two months rent with late payment. The crisis or difficulties that caused this problem must be related to circumstances beyond the control of the family.
• Legal assistance and representation to stop an eviction .
• Payment for the new housing, this can be a deposit of the rental agreement or the payment of the last month's rent.

Any help paying rent in California will require people to become self-sufficient, get a job as quickly as possible, and eliminate or reduce their reliance on public benefits .

How to apply for the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program?

This program is administered through CalWORKs at the county level. You should contact your county welfare office for more information about the application process.