CalWORKs Homeless Programs: Families Facing Housing Instability in California
Are you homeless or about to lose your home? The CalWORKs program can help.
CalWORKs Homeless Programs provide financial help, shelter support, and housing-related services to eligible families who are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
What Are CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Programs?
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) is part of the larger CalWORKs system, which offers cash aid and supportive services to low-income families. The Homeless Assistance programs are specifically targeted at helping families in two major ways: emergency shelter support and securing or maintaining stable housing.
Under the Homeless Assistance umbrella, families may be eligible for:
Temporary Homeless Assistance
Permanent Homeless Assistance
County-level support services and additional benefits
These programs are administered at the county level, meaning eligibility and application processes go through your local county CalWORKs office rather than directly through the state.
Types of Homeless Assistance
The State CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program helps eligible families experiencing homelessness by providing temporary shelter support and assistance securing permanent housing. The program includes Temporary Homeless Assistance (Temporary HA) and Permanent Homeless Assistance (Permanent HA).
Both Temporary HA and Permanent HA are generally available once every 12 months. However, under certain exception rules, families may be able to receive additional assistance within the same 12-month period.
Temporary Homeless Assistance (Temporary HA)
Temporary HA provides short-term shelter payments to homeless families while they actively search for permanent housing.
Key features:
Available for up to 16 cumulative days within a 12-month period
Payment amount:
$85 per day for a family of up to four people, $15 per additional person per day, Maximum $145 per day.
Eligible shelter types include:
Hotels or motels,paid shelters,short-term lease, sub-lease, or shared housing arrangements
To qualify, families must:
Be apparently eligible for or approved for CalWORKs or Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
Meet the official definition of homelessness
Be actively searching for permanent housing
Provide verification of both housing search efforts and shelter expenses
Permanent Homeless Assistance (Permanent HA)
Permanent HA helps families secure long-term, stable housing.
This assistance may be used to pay for:
Last month’s rent, security deposits,utility turn-on fees (gas, electricity, and/or water)
Eligibility requirements:
The family must be approved for CalWORKs
The family must meet the homeless definition
The family’s share of rent must be no more than 80% of Total Monthly Household Income (TMHI)
Permanent HA Arrearages (Back Rent Assistance)
Permanent HA Arrearages helps families avoid eviction by paying up to two months of back rent when the family receives any notice that could lead to eviction, regardless of the reason stated in the notice.
Key rules:
Each month of back rent paid cannot exceed 80% of the family’s TMHI
The family must already have permanent housing with a valid long-term lease
Eligibility requirements:
The family must be approved for CalWORKs
The rent must remain within the 80% TMHI limit
Temporary Homeless Assistance Program (THAP)+14
THAP+14 is a county program that gives 14 extra days of hotel/motel assistance to eligible CalWORKs working families who are still homeless after using State Temporary HA.
Adds 14 more days to the State’s 16-day Temporary HA
Helps families stay sheltered while finding permanent housing
Available to families currently on or finished with Temporary HA
Generally once in a lifetime (exceptions may apply)
Eligibility:
Must be receiving CalWORKs
Must be working, in GAIN (Welfare-to-Work), or receiving Post Time-Limit Services
County 4-Month Rental Assistance (RA) — Ultra-Simplified
Provides short-term rent help for CalWORKs WtW families
Up to $500/month for up to 4 months
Helps families stay housed after moving in or during temporary financial hardship
Once-in-a-lifetime benefit (limited exceptions)
Families in GAIN Family Stabilization may receive up to 8 months total
Eligibility (basic):
Must be on CalWORKs
Must be working or in GAIN/WtW or PTL
Must live in non-subsidized permanent housing
Who Is Eligible and How to Apply
To receive Homeless Assistance benefits, you must:
Be a CalWORKs recipient or apparently eligible applicant
Be homeless or at risk of homelessness under California law (e.g., lack a fixed nighttime residence, currently in temporary shelter, or received eviction notice)
Applications are managed through your local county CalWORKs office. Most programs require you to complete the CW-42 Homeless Assistance form to request support, and county staff can help walk you through documentation and eligibility requirements.
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters
Housing stability is the foundation for families to thrive — physically, emotionally, and financially. Facing homelessness or the threat of eviction can feel overwhelming, but CalWORKs Homeless Programs are there to help families bridge the gap between crisis and stability. From temporary shelter support to permanent housing costs and supportive case management, these programs are designed to give families the assistance they need when they need it most.
If you’re struggling with housing or worried you might soon lose your home, reaching out to your local CalWORKs office could open access to support that helps you regain stability and move forward with confidence.