Availability of the following housing programs is dependent upon available County funding.

The Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) operates three (3) housing supportive services programs that help CalWORKs participants work on housing related problems they have providing them stable living arrangements and enhance their work toward self-sufficiency. The individual programs are described below:

Emergency Assistance Grant

Rent is paid directly to the landlord to prevent loss of housing by eligible families due to financial hardship, not for lease violations. This one-time only assistance would be for a rent arrearage of up to two months or $1,500, whichever is less.

Program Eligibility Criteria:

1. You must be actively receiving CalWORKs or be within the 12 months of Job Retention Services following discontinuance from CalWORKs.

2. You must have received a 3-day eviction notice from landlord.

3. Applicant must attend Consumer Credit Counseling Services:
Break The Cycle Workshop
Individual Personal Budget Counseling session

Relocation Grant

The Relocation Program is a one-time only program to issue a maximum of $1,500 to eligible participants who have obtained a job or received a documented offer of employment, and need to move closer to work, child care, or public transportation. Or families living in temporary situations who are employed and are in need of permanent housing are also eligible. This subsidy may be used for moving expenses, such as moving truck rental, utility deposits, and security deposit. Payment is made directly to the vendor or landlord

Program Eligibility:

1. You must be actively receiving CalWORKs or be within the 12 months of Job Retention Services following discontinuance from CalWORKs.

2. You must provide documented proof of employment or job offer.

3. You must attend Consumer Credit Counseling Services:
Break The Cycle Workshop
Individual Personal Budget Counseling session

Transitional Support Grant

The Transitional Support Grant is a one-time only grant of up to $1,500 to help eligible families who are leaving a publicly funded, recognized transitional housing program, emergency/temporary shelter, or residential facility, to get permanent housing that results in the reunification of the family.

Transitional support payments may include the actual moving expenses, utilities, and or security deposits. Payment is made directly to the vendor or landlord.

Program Eligibility:

1. You must be actively receiving CalWORKs or be within the 12 months of Job Retention Services following discontinuance from CalWORKs.

2. You must provide documented proof of employment or job offer.

3. You must attend Consumer Credit Counseling Services:
Break The Cycle Workshop
Individual Personal Budget Counseling session

The EHSD contracts with Consumer Credit Counseling of the East Bay (CCCEB) to provide several financial literacy education workshops, the two described below are required for CalWORKs participants applying for a housing support grant.

"Break The Cycle Workshop" This is a five (5) hour structured workshop that provides consumer education/training on the basics of money and credit management. It teaches you how to manage living expenses, including housing and transportation costs.

The workshop focuses on basic understanding of how credit affects your life, from renting an apartment, getting a loan, buying a car and establishing credit. It includes understanding loan types, interest rates and terms, rental and homeownership responsibilities, credit cards, bankruptcy, and more. It addresses emotional aspects of money decisions and goal setting. Participants leave with tools to create the beginning of a personal budget and spending plan.

"Individual Personal Budget Counseling" This session is you if you have had bad credit or never have money left before the end of the month. The participants ave completed the "Break The Cycle Workshop" and continue to have difficulties budgeting. Certified counselors work with the client to set up a personal budget, establish financial goals, plan and track expenditures.

This session is a detailed planning session and is strictly personal and confidential. The participant demonstrates an understanding of how to plan spending and to prevent budget crisis in the future. The participant must be prepared to report to the Consumer Credit Counseling of the East Bay office for a prearranged appointment lasting approximately 2 hours.

For questions related to the three housing programs, contact:

Lloyd Madden
Phone: (925) 313-1736
Email: Lmadden@ehsd.cccounty.us