Homelessness Prevention

Homelessness prevention activities constitute one of three core funding areas of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County. With this program, the Housing Trust makes grants to Santa Clara County nonprofits to administer emergency rental assistance and provides loans to nonprofit developers that support the construction and rehabilitation of housing for extremely low-income households and individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Emergency Homelessness Prevention & Safety Net Capital Improvement Grants

The emergency loans are designed to provide one-time rental assistance to prevent eviction, or deposit assistance to move families into stable housing. Grants are administered annually to qualifying nonprofit agencies throughout Santa Clara County. Qualifying agencies must have nonprofit status pursuant to Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Under the Safety Net Capital Improvement (SNCI) program, funds are being made available on a one-time basis to qualifying nonprofit agencies serving families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Grants of up to $200,000 per provider are to be used for capital needs at existing safety net housing facilities. For example, funds may be used to upgrade the physical structure of the housing facility to improve the health and safety of the clients residing there. Funds may similarly be used for activities related to deferred maintenance of the shelter facility.

For more details, download program guidelines here.

Homelessness & Special Needs Housing

The Housing Trust provides loans to developers constructing or rehabilitating emergency, transitional or permanent housing for extremely low income individuals and families. To date the Housing Trust has invested in the development of over thirty properties catering to unique needs of individuals or families at risk for homelessness. This includes funding for projects such as a transitional living center for young adults who have termed out of foster care at the Sobrato House and affordable housing apartments for indigent adults and families needing medical care at the Opportunity Center.

For more information see developer loans or visit our interactive project map.