Housing Support

What is Housing Support

Housing insecurity means not having a safe, steady place to live. This can include being homeless, close to eviction, living with too many people, or staying somewhere unsafe. People in this situation may feel a lot of stress, may not know where they can stay, or may feel pressure to stay in places that are harmful because they have no other options. Survivors of violence or trafficking are often at higher risk. They may feel trapped and have to choose between staying with someone who hurts them, going back to unsafe work, or living on the streets. Housing insecurity can also make people more likely to experience trafficking or exploitation, especially if they depend on others for a place to stay in exchange for sex or labor.

Many people look for help through emergency shelters, temporary housing, rapid rehousing, or long-term supportive housing. Others may need help paying rent, getting legal support to stop an eviction, or finding advocates who can help them deal with discrimination based on race, gender identity, income, disability, or immigration status.

Core Questions

Are you at risk of losing housing?

Do you feel like the current place you are staying is safe and stable?

Has anything happened recently that makes it difficult to keep stable housing?

Do you stay in the same place every night or does it change?

Do you have a place where you can reliably keep your things, sleep, shower, and rest?

Resources & Support

Help is available. You don’t have to face this alone.

County Resources

Alameda County

Contra Costa County

Marin County

Monterey County

San Francisco County

Sacramento County

San Mateo County

Santa Clara County

Santa Cruz County

Solano County

Sonoma County

Yolo County

Know Your Rights

Your rights related to housing support include:

To get emergency shelter or temporary housing if you are homeless, leaving violence, or living somewhere unsafe.
To apply for low-cost, long-term housing programs like public housing, Section 8, or supportive housing if you qualify.
To ask for changes or help if you have a disability that affects your housing. This can include special rules or small changes to your home.
To live freely without being treated unfairly because of your race, color, where you’re from, your sex, your religion, your disability, or your family.
To report a landlord or housing provider if they treat you unfairly or break the law. You can file a complaint with local fair housing offices or HUD.

To stay in your home unless a court orders you to leave. A landlord cannot lock you out or turn off your utilities.
To get written notice if your landlord wants to evict you, raise your rent, or end your rental agreement.
To get legal help or talk to tenant advocates so you can understand your rights and get support with eviction or housing problems.
To use rental help programs, like emergency rent money, if you are behind on rent or might lose your home.
To apply for housing help even if you are undocumented. Some shelters and local programs are open to everyone.