Can CalFresh help with housing? Urgent need for affordable room for me and my toddler

CalFresh itself doesn't provide housing assistance - it's specifically for food benefits. However, the same county office that handles CalFresh often administers housing programs or can refer you to them. You should ask about these programs: 1. Emergency Housing Assistance 2. Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers (though waitlists are long) 3. CalWORKs Housing Support Program (if you qualify for CalWORKs) 4. Housing and Disability Advocacy Program Call your county office and specifically ask about housing emergency assistance since you have a toddler and a deadline. There are often priority pathways for families with young children.

calfresh is just food but i was in a similar situation last year and my caseworker told me about some emergency housing fund thru the county. they paid my security deposit and 1st months rent when i finally found a place. took almost 3 months tho so start looking NOW

I work at a community resource center, and while CalFresh itself doesn't help with housing, there are several resources you should immediately connect with: 1. Call 211 - This is a hotline that can connect you with all available housing resources in your area 2. Contact your local Housing Authority - They manage programs like Section 8 and may have emergency vouchers 3. Reach out to your county's Human Services Agency where you got CalFresh - Ask specifically about "Housing Support Programs" or "Housing Assistance Programs" 4. Look into the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) if it's still active in your county Since you have a 1-year-old, you may qualify for priority assistance. Make sure to mention that you have a deadline and a young child when you call these agencies.

I was in this exact situation last year! So frustrating. CalFresh doesn't do housing but if you call your county office ask about the "Housing Support Program" or "Homeless Assistance" through CalWORKs. You might qualify even if you don't get CalWORKs yet. Also try local churches and community organizations - that's how I found my current place. They sometimes know landlords willing to rent to single parents without perfect income requirements. Don't give up!!! 💕

When I tried to call my county office about housing I spent DAYS trying to get through... constant busy signals, disconnects, or being put on hold for 2+ hours only to get cut off. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you back when an actual person is on the line. Saved me so much frustration and I finally got through to someone who connected me with emergency housing resources. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

CALFRESH DON'T DO HOUSING AT ALL they only care about FOOD!!! this system is SO BROKEN. im a single mom too and been on waiting list for section 8 for FOUR YEARS!!! county says all emergency housing funds are "depleted" every time i call. they don't care that people are becoming HOMELESS with CHILDREN!!!! the income requirements are impossible in this market too. 3x rent?? WHO has that kind of money these days???????

have you looked into rapid rehousing? thats different than section 8 and sometimes faster but i think you technically have to be homeless first which is messed up. also maybe ask if your landlord can give you more time? sometimes if u explain the situation with having a baby they might be more flexible

To directly answer your question: No, CalFresh doesn't provide housing assistance as it's specifically for food benefits. However, there are connected programs that might help: 1. CalWORKs - If you qualify based on income, this cash aid program also offers a Housing Support Program 2. Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) 3. Home Safe Program (primarily for seniors) 4. Bringing Families Home (for families in the child welfare system) Start by contacting your county human services agency. The same office that handles your CalFresh case can refer you to housing programs and determine eligibility. With a 1-year-old, you may qualify for emergency priority.

This totally sucks and i know exactly how u feel!!! When I needed housing help I applied for everything but got nowhere until I connected with a family advocate at my local WIC office. They had connections with housing resources I didn't even know existed! Do you go to WIC for your little one? If so ask them about housing resources next time you're there. Also try local Head Start programs - sometimes they have housing connections for families with young kids.

Based on your situation, here's a step-by-step approach: 1. Call your county's social services agency immediately (same place that handles your CalFresh) and ask about emergency housing assistance programs 2. Apply for CalWORKs if you're eligible - this opens the door to their Housing Support Program 3. Visit your local Housing Authority in person if possible - sometimes there are emergency vouchers that aren't advertised online 4. Contact local family resource centers and ask about their housing navigation services 5. Check if your county has a Homeless Prevention Program that helps families before they lose housing Don't wait - start all these processes simultaneously since housing programs often have waits. And make sure to emphasize that you have a 1-year-old and a specific move-out deadline when speaking with agencies.