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Grants for Homeless Individuals & Families

Federal and state governments fund emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. These grants support individuals, families with children, veterans, youth, and chronically homeless populations. Below are 1093 verified funding opportunities from HUD, HHS, and other government agencies.

Types of Homeless Assistance Grants

🏠 Emergency Shelter

Immediate housing in emergency shelters, safe havens, and overnight facilities for individuals and families in crisis.

🔑 Transitional Housing

Medium-term housing (up to 24 months) with supportive services to help individuals transition to permanent housing.

🏘️ Rapid Rehousing

Short-term rental assistance and case management to quickly move homeless families and individuals into permanent housing.

💼 Supportive Services

Employment programs, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, case management, and life skills training.

Key Federal Homeless Programs

HUD Continuum of Care

The largest federal program providing permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and supportive services for homeless individuals and families.

Emergency Solutions Grants

State and local funding for emergency shelter, street outreach, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing programs.

HUD-VASH Vouchers

Housing Choice Vouchers combined with VA case management for homeless veterans. Provides permanent housing with wraparound support.

Runaway & Homeless Youth

HHS programs providing emergency shelter, transitional living, and street outreach for homeless youth under age 25.

Who Qualifies for Homeless Assistance?

HUD defines homelessness in four categories, and eligibility varies by program:

  • Literally Homeless: Living in emergency shelter, transitional housing, place not meant for human habitation (car, street, abandoned building)
  • Imminent Risk: Will lose housing within 14 days and have no subsequent residence identified, lack resources to obtain housing
  • Homeless Under Other Statutes: Fleeing domestic violence, youth/families under other federal definitions, unaccompanied youth under age 25
  • Fleeing Domestic Violence: Leaving housing due to domestic violence and lacking resources/support for alternative housing
  • Chronic Homelessness: Continuously homeless for 1+ years or 4+ episodes in 3 years, with disabling condition (mental illness, substance abuse, disability)

Documentation typically required: Proof of homelessness (shelter records, street outreach verification), identification, income verification (if any), veteran status (for VA programs).

Available Funding Opportunities

These grants support organizations and agencies serving homeless populations. Individuals should contact local homeless service providers, Continuums of Care, or dial 211 for direct assistance.

Made in California Program

Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development Disadvantaged Communities; Housing Fixed deadline

The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications from eligible organizations to apply to provide marketing and engagement services to support the awareness and use of the Made in California...

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2025 CDBG NOFA

Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Fixed deadline

Under the 2025 NOFA, approximately $27 million in federal funds for Community Development Block Grant will be made available to develop viable communities provisioning decent affordable housing, expan...

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2024 LHTF NOFA Round 5

Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Fixed deadline

The principal goal of this program is to provide grants to Local Housing Trust Funds established by cities and counties, Native American Tribes, and incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to i...

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2023 Homekey Tribal NOFA

Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Fixed deadline

The Department announces the availability of $75 million of Homekey Program grant funding through this Round 3 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Tribal Entities. This NOFA aims to sustain and ...

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Native American Preparedness Tribal Grant

Department of Fish and Wildlife Disaster Prevention & Relief; Environment & Water Fixed deadline

The Tribal Preparedness Grant is part of the Office of Spill Prevention and Response Program and supports California Native American tribes in preparing for and enhancing emergency preparedness, respo...

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Coastal Conservancy Grants

Coastal Conservancy Agriculture; Disadvantaged Communities; Disaster Prevention & Relief; Environment & Water; Housing Rolling deadline

Each year, the Coastal Conservancy issues millions of dollars in grants for projects that restore and protect the California coast, expand public access to it, and enhance its resilience to climate ch...

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Showing 50 of 1093 grants

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How to Access Homeless Assistance

  1. Contact Local Homeless Services Immediately - Call 211 or visit your area's Continuum of Care (CoC) for coordinated entry. They'll connect you to emergency shelter and services.
  2. Complete Coordinated Entry Assessment - Local agencies use standardized assessment tools to determine your needs and prioritize assistance based on vulnerability.
  3. Work with a Case Manager - You'll be assigned a case manager who helps navigate housing programs, gather documents, and access supportive services.
  4. Apply for Appropriate Programs - Based on your situation, case managers help apply for emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, or permanent supportive housing.
  5. Engage with Support Services - Most programs require participation in case management, employment services, mental health treatment, or other supportive services.
⚠️ Important: Most homeless grants fund service providers, not individuals directly. If you're experiencing homelessness, contact local homeless services agencies or dial 211 for immediate assistance.

Common Questions About Homeless Assistance

Can individuals apply directly for homeless grants?

No. Most homeless grants fund nonprofits, local governments, and service providers—not individuals. If you're experiencing homelessness, contact your local Continuum of Care, dial 211, or visit emergency shelters directly. They'll connect you to housing and services funded by these grants.

What's the difference between emergency shelter and transitional housing?

Emergency shelter provides immediate, short-term housing (typically 30-90 days) with minimal services. Transitional housing offers longer stays (up to 24 months) with intensive case management, employment services, and life skills training to help you transition to permanent housing.

How does rapid rehousing work?

Rapid rehousing helps you move quickly from homelessness into permanent housing. Programs provide short-term rental assistance (typically 3-18 months), security deposits, and case management. The goal is housing stability, not long-term rent subsidies.

What is permanent supportive housing?

Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing with wraparound supportive services for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities. It's long-term housing (not time-limited) with on-site or nearby services like mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, and case management.

Are there programs specifically for homeless veterans?

Yes. The VA offers HUD-VASH vouchers (housing vouchers + case management), Grant and Per Diem programs (transitional housing), and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (homelessness prevention). Contact the VA Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838.

What if I'm at risk of homelessness but not yet homeless?

Homelessness prevention programs can help if you're losing housing within 14 days. These programs provide emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, deposits) and case management. Contact 211 or local homeless service providers immediately—prevention is easier than rehousing.

Immediate Assistance Resources

📞 Call 211

Free 24/7 hotline connecting you to local emergency shelter, food banks, rental assistance, and support services in your area.

🏛️ HUD Exchange

Find your local Continuum of Care (CoC) coordinator. CoCs manage homeless services and coordinated entry in your community.

🎖️ VA Homeless Programs

Veterans: Call 1-877-424-3838 for immediate assistance. The VA offers housing vouchers, transitional housing, and case management.

👨‍👩‍👧 SAMHSA

1-800-662-4357 for mental health and substance abuse treatment referrals. Many homeless programs require treatment engagement.

Related Grant Resources

Hardship Grants Grants for Veterans Browse All Grants

Need Immediate Help?

If you're experiencing homelessness: Dial 211 or contact your local homeless services agency immediately. They can connect you to emergency shelter, food, and support services tonight.

Service providers: Browse our complete database of 4230 federal, state, and local grants to find funding opportunities.

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