What to know

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• About this program: A community‑based rental assistance program funded by California’s BSCC ARG Cohort 4 and operated by partner organizations across California Counties. Our goal is to prevent homelessness and displacement for people returning from California state prison.

• Housing First: No sobriety or “program readiness” requirements. We do not ask about immigration/citizenship status; alternative IDs are accepted.

• Funding is limited: We prioritize households at highest risk of homelessness or housing loss. Not all eligible applicants will be served immediately.

• What we can pay: Back rent/arrears; short bridge future rent; security deposits; required application fees; short hotel/motel bridge; basic set‑up items; landlord incentives; and host stipends (capped at FMR). See Program Rules & FAQs for details.

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What to do

 

1) Review key information

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• We assist people 18+ who were formerly incarcerated in a California state prison.

• You must live in or be exiting to an eligible county in either of these of these regions: List of Eligible Counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, Yuba

• We collect monthly income to generate an AMI advisory for screening/prioritization. There is no statewide income cap under ARG.

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2) Check if you can apply

 

You are likely eligible to apply if:

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• You are 18+ and formerly incarcerated in a CA state prison (any release date).

• You live in or are exiting to one of the Counties listed above.

• You have a current housing need (arrears/back rent, deposit/move‑in costs, or short hotel bridge).

• You can provide basic documentation (or self‑attest with staff help) so we can verify payee and amounts owed.

• Note: Local policies (if published) may set frequency/amount caps; otherwise assistance is determined case‑by‑case and subject to available funds.

 

3) Apply online

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​Apply for rental assistance → 

 

If you need help applying, contact us or a community partner. 

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3) Facing Eviction 

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If you receive court papers (Unlawful Detainer), act immediately. Contact 211, your County Superior Court Self‑Help Center, or find legal aid at LawHelpCA.org. (See the Eviction protections & legal help section in this guide.)

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Related

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• See FAQ

• Get help with housing or emergency needs (regional 211/partners)

• Community partners: [insert partner list]​

 

Languages & accessibility

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We provide free language assistance and reasonable accommodations upon request. Tell us your preferred language and any accessibility needs when you apply.

Contact us