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HomelessnessHomelessness

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I am at-risk for or currently experiencing homelessness, what should I do?

HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people. HUD is not a direct service provider.

For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:


Dial 2-1-1. Press 6 for homeless services.

**If you are unable to get a response from 2-1-1 or receive a message that the service is not available from your location, you may go to: https://www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211 and enter your zip code to find the number for your local office.


  • Contact a homeless service provider

  • Veterans:
    • For a Veteran who needs temporary housing shelter outside of normal business hours, please call Volunteers of America (available 24/7) at (213) 563-7979.
      **If you do not receive a response within 30 minutes of your call, please text “Unhoused Veteran in Need of Transitional Housing” to (213) 563-7979 or (213) 500-7889.
    • Contact the VA medical center near you and mention your interest in Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) or find instructions for contacting the National Homeless Veteran Call Center here. You may also call the Veterans Affairs Emergency Housing Hotline for assistance at (310) 268-3350
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I am in the following counties and am at-risk for or currently experiencing homelessness, where can I get help?

Counties: Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Clara

  • Alameda County
  • Los Angeles County
  • Call 2-1-1 (available 24/7) or text 898211 (available M-F between 9am and 4pm) to get connected with health and human service programs or go to 211la
  • Sacramento County
    • Call 2-1-1 and press 8 (available 24/7) to be connected with housing services.
    • Sacramento’s Coordinated Access System – Accessing Resources: CAS: Client Portal - Sacramento Steps Forward
    • Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART)
    • Mental Health Access Team
      • Call (916) 875-1055 or toll-free (888) 8881-4881 to be referred.
        • Adults with Mental Illness and Homelessness: Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment (CORE) Program
          • You may also visit a CORE provider site during designated walk-in hours for an assessment.
        • Youth with Mental Illness and Homelessness: Flexible Integrated Treatment (FIT) Program
  • San Diego County
    • Call 2-1-1 (available 24/7) or text 898211 (available M-F between 9am and 4pm) to get connected with health and human service programs or go to 211sandiego
    • Find and visit your local Homeless Access Center
  • Santa Clara County
    • Santa Clara County Here4You Hotline: available 7 days a week from 9am – 7pm for individuals and families currently experiencing homelessness.
      • Call (408) 385-2400
      • Veterans: Call HomeFirst-Veterans Services at (408) 510-7522
    • Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System (HPS): provides assistance to low-income families or individuals who are at-risk of losing their housing.
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Affordable Places to LiveAffordable Places to Live

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I am in search of affordable places to live, where can I get help?

HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people. HUD is not a direct service provider.

For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:

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What additional housing resources (external to HUD) are available to me?
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties
    A Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property is run by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. Developers and investors who participate in LIHTC get reduced federal income taxes in exchange for making an investment in an affordable housing development.

    To be eligible for an affordable unit in a LIHTC property, you must make no more than the income limit for that unit. LIHTC rents are not based on your income, but instead is set by the use restrictions tied to the unit. Note: LIHTC property owners accept Section 8 voucher tenants. To apply, contact the LIHTC property directly. You can find a map of LIHTC properties here.

    To contact the CTCAC for more information, dial (916) 654-6340.
  • USDA Rural Development Multifamily Housing
    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Multifamily Housing programs helps property owners through loans and grants to rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers. USDA RD Multifamily Rental Assistance Program provides payments to owners of USDA-financed projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent.
    Search for RD Multifamily Housing rentals in California.

    For more information, dial (202) 720-2791.
  • Local Listings
    You are also advised to check your local city and/or county’s website for additional affordable housing opportunities.
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I need rental assistance (i.e. Section 8) from HUD, am I eligible and how do I apply? ​

HUD has rental assistance and housing resources through the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. ​

Public Housing​

  • Public Housing provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. HUD provides federal aid to local Public Housing Authorities (PHA) that manage public housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford.
  • Eligibility: Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A Public Housing Authority determines eligibility based on 1) annual gross income, 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with disabilities or as a family, and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
  • To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority.

Housing Choice Voucher (commonly known as Section 8)

  • The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program assists low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing assistance is provided through HUD on behalf of the family or individual, so participants can find their own housing. You can use an HCV to pay for all or part of the rent. ​
  • Eligibility: A Public Housing Authority will determine eligibility for the housing choice voucher program based on the total annual gross income and family size, U.S. citizenship and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. ​
  • To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority. During the application process, a Public Housing Authority will collect information on family income, assets, and family composition. The Public Housing Authority will use this information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment. ​
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HomeownershipHomeownership

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
Where can I get information about becoming a homeowner?
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How do I learn about Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans and programs?
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I am interested in buying a HUD home, where can I find information about HUD homes?
I need to know how to pay off my FHA loan, where do I find this information?
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I need home improvements, what are my options?

There are various federal loan programs and community-based programs to help with home repairs and improvements. Learn more about HUD’s Home Improvements programs.

If you have more questions, contact the FHA Resource Center

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I am facing foreclosure, what can I do?
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I am worried about lead-based paint, where can I find information about it?

Report Housing DiscriminationReport Housing Discrimination

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I need to report housing discrimination, where do I go?

* The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability.

Rent Relief & Eviction ResourcesRent Relief & Eviction Resources

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I am facing eviction, what can I do?

HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people. HUD is not a direct service provider.

For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:

 

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I need rental payment assistance, where can I get help?
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I need utility payment assistance, where can I get help?
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Speak to a Housing CounselorSpeak to a Housing Counselor

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I'd like to speak with a housing counselor, what can they assist me with?
  • Becoming a homeowner
  • Foreclosure assistance
  • Reverse mortgages
  • Home improvements/repairs to my home
  • Renting

Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs.

 

Housing Quality & Improved Living ConditionsHousing Quality & Improved Living Conditions

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I am in HUD funded housing, where can I find information about my property/unit inspection?
What are housing quality standards?
I am worried about lead-based paint. Where can I find this information?
What are my options for home improvement?

DisasterResourcesDisaster Resources

What issue are you facing?
Where to get help
I have experienced a disaster and need to register with FEMA. What do I do?
  • Immediately after a disaster, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other government agencies offer initial assistance. HUD then provides additional support for ongoing recovery through programs and partnerships.
  • Register with FEMA online at: www.disasterassistance.gov 
  • Register through FEMA’s disaster app on your smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, you can go to www.fema.gov/mobile-app
  • Call (800) 621-3362. Phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are on duty. 

 

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I have experienced a disaster and need to reach out to my Local Red Cross for help. Where do I go?
I experienced a disaster and need help.
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My Local Office Information


For assistance at all times, we encourage you to utilize the self-help resources above.

If you are unable to have your questions answered from the resources above, please click on the Need More Help button below to contact your local office for further assistance.

 

Need More Help?

 

San Francisco Regional Office
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
One Sansome Street, Suite 1200
San Francisco, CA 94104

Get Directions

[Phone Icon]Phone: (415) 489-6400
TTY: Dial 7-1-1 (Not available in all areas)

[Fax Icon] Fax: (415) 489-6419

Eduardo Cabrera, Field Office Director

 

Los Angeles Field Office
300 North Los Angeles Street, Suite 4054
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Get Directions

[Phone Icon]Phone: (213) 894-8000
TTY: Dial 7-1-1 (Not available in all areas)

[Fax Icon] Fax: (213) 894-8107

Laurie Cannady Udit, Field Office Director

 

Santa Ana Field Office
34 Civic Center Plaza
Room 7015
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Get Directions

[Phone Icon]Phone: (213) 894-8000
TTY: Dial 7-1-1 (Not available in all areas)

[Fax Icon] Fax: (202) 485-5705

Laurie Cannady Udit, Acting Field Office Director

 

Interested in learning more about what HUD is doing in your community?

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⚠ In Crisis? Call or Text 988

HOUSING INSTABILITY CAN BE VERY DISTRESSING

If you are struggling, in crisis, or need help for yourself or someone else, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to get connected with a trained listener. This lifeline provides emotional support to people who are experiencing emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the United States.

SAMHSA Helpline:
This Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential help. You can get treatment referrals and information about mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.

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