Millions of families in the U.S. are unable to find or stay in safe housing and over 500,000 are homeless. There are resources to help.
General Resources
211
Whether you need to find an emergency shelter, avoid homelessness, or get help staying in your home, 211 can provide assistance. Visit 211oc.org or call 2-1-1 or 888-600-4357 to speak directly with someone who can help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential, and multiple languages are available.
Orange County Family Solutions Collaborative Complete a form online and be directed to a Family Service Navigator who can help you find housing and address any problems you have that keep you from finding and keeping housing. Visit www.spinoc.org/request-services.
CalWORKS
The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program was created to help CalWORKs families meet the costs of housing. The CalWORKs HA program serves eligible CalWORKs recipients or applicants who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Contact your local county welfare office to apply. For individuals who are already approved, there can be some additional benefits. Contact your worker if you need additional help.
South County Outreach
In support of homelessness prevention, South County Outreach provides up to 650 families a month with emergency rental assistance to prevent eviction. For more information, visit www.sco-oc.org or call 949-380-8144.
Types of Housing Programs
Every city has its own list of resources and outreach workers. Please contact your city directly to see if it has any other additional resources that may be available to you. Visit www.cdss.ca.gov/county-offices.
Emergency shelters provide support services and immediate short-term shelter for individuals and families before finding housing that meets their long-term needs.
Transitional Housing is a step up from an emergency shelter and provides a temporary residence, ranging from six to 24 months for people experiencing homelessness.
Permanent supportive housing is for individuals with regular and frequent episodes of homelessness who also struggle with a physical or mental disability.
Permanent affordable housing refers to long-term affordable housing for individuals that fall within a set income bracket, for example extremely low, very low, low or moderate income categories.
Domestic Violence Shelters provide housing and support to individuals and families who are victims of domestic violence.
Organizations
Colette’s Children’s Home
Colette’s Children’s Home is a transitional shelter and permanent housing program for women with children and single women. Intake process required. Call 714-596-1380.
Family Assistance Ministries
Family Assistance Ministries provides temporary rental assistance to women and children in South Orange County. Visit www.family-assistance.org or call 949-492-8477.
Family Promise of Orange County
Family Promise of Orange County is a community-based program that helps families get off the streets and stay in local congregations for up to two months while they seek employment and housing. While in the program, families pay no rent and are provided three meals a day by a team of volunteers. Visit www.familypromiseorangecounty.org/i-needshelter.
We Care of Los Alamitos
We Care of Los Alamitos offers assistance with food, personal care products, utility assistance, rent, and case management services. Rent depends on the funding available. By appointment only. Service areas: Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Rossmoor, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Stanton. Call 562-598-9790.
Families Forward
Families Forward helps homeless families with minor children regain self-sufficiency. Supportive services for these families may include financial assistance, counseling, food, medical services, and career coaching to ultimately help each family achieve self-sufficiency. Homeless prevention services include a food pantry, community counseling, access to social service benefits, and career workshops. Call 949-552-2727.
Pathways of Hope
Pathways of Hope provides rental assistance, interim housing, emergency food, job development, life skills training, and other services to people in need. Walk-in services are available from Monday through Friday 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to noon at the distribution center in Fullerton. Call 714-680-3691 for directions. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Orange County Village of Hope Rescue Mission
Orange County Village of Hope Rescue Mission provides transitional housing for up to 262 homeless men, women and children. Residents have access to counseling services, job training, medical and dental care and more. It features a 6,000-square-foot Child Development Center, that offers age-appropriate activities for preschool-age children and an on-site after-school tutoring program for school-age children. Call 714-247-4300.
Emergency Shelters
Illumination Foundation
Illumination Foundation provides emergency housing for families with at least one child under 18 or who are pregnant and currently without housing. Visit www.ifhomeless.org or call 714-507-2459.
Colette’s Children’s Home
Colette’s Children’s Home is an emergency housing program for women with children and single women. Intake process required. Call 714-596-1380.
Mercy House/Regina House
Mercy House/Regina House is a temporary shelter for individuals and families with warm meals, showers, and resource referrals to help individuals get into permanent housing. Call 714-836-7188, ext. 118.
First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park
First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park provides one night stay for homeless single adults and families. Also provides daily on-site meals. Call 714-522-7201.
New Vista Immediate Response Housing Program
New Vista Immediate Response Housing Program provides emergency shelter for adults with at least one child 17 or younger. Must be referred by calling 2-1-1 or CityNet at 714-451-6198.
Family Promise of Orange County
Family Promise of Orange County provides temporary emergency shelter for families with at least one child 18 or younger. Call 714-787-3487 or visit www.familypromiseorangecounty.org/i-need-shelter.
Domestic Violence Shelters
Laura’s House
24-hour hotline: 949-498-1511 or 866-498-1511
Human Options
24-hour hotline: 877-854-3594
Women’s Transitional Living Center, Inc.
24-hour hotline: 877-531-5522
Interval House
Crisis Shelters and Centers: 562-594-9492;
Victims of DomesticViolence 24-hour hotline: 562-594-4555
