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Counties are required to use evidenced-based models. HSP funding must be used to support projects that follow evidence-based housing interventions, including homelessness prevention services and/or the core components of rapid rehousing. Further, all state- funded housing programs, including HSP, operate in accordance with the core components of Housing First as enumerated in WIC Section 8255.

CalWORKs HSP can provide housing supports to obtain or maintain permanent housing, and can provide temporary shelter, help with moving costs, short to medium term rental subsidies, and wraparound case management. Services that may be provided by the county may include, but are not limited to case management, housing relocation and stabilization services, landlord engagement, credit repair, and legal services. Financial assistance provided to families includes but is not limited to rental assistance, moving costs, deposits, and utilities.

CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA)

The CalWORKs HA Program was established to help eligible families in the CalWORKs program meet the costs of securing or maintaining permanent housing when at risk of homelessness or to provide emergency shelter when a family is experiencing homelessness. The CalWORKs HA program serves eligible CalWORKs recipients or apparently eligible CalWORKs applicants, who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. CalWORKs families receiving Family Reunification services are also eligible if the county determines that these benefits are necessary for reunification to occur. CalWORKs HA can provide payments for temporary shelter for up to 16 days, as well as payments to secure or maintain housing, including a security deposit and last month’s rent, or up to two months of rent arrearages. Eligible families may receive HA benefits once every 12 months with exceptions due to domestic abuse, illness, uninhabitability of the home, or declared natural disaster.

The expanded temporary HA program is also available for CalWORKs applicants who are fleeing domestic abuse. Expanded HA for Victims of Domestic Abuse requires that a CalWORKs applicant who provides a sworn statement of past or present domestic abuse and who is fleeing their abuser shall be deemed to be experiencing homelessness and shall be eligible for up to 32 days of temporary HA, if determined apparently eligible for CalWORKs, disregarding any income or assets attributable to the alleged abuser. Expanded HA for Victims of Domestic Abuse is available in two 16-day increments once in a lifetime.

Parental Responsibility

CalWORKs encourages parental responsibility by requiring parents to immunize their assisted children under the age of six and cooperate with the child-support