Bridge Housing Program
Through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is investing over $1 billion to support county behavioral health agencies and tribal entities in expanding bridge housing for people experiencing homelessness in California. The BHBH Program funds a range of program settings and individualized supportive services to address the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions, including serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD).
The BHBH Program is a transformative investment in ending homelessness statewide. Established into law in September 2022 under Assembly Bill 179 (Ting, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2022), funding is distributed through multiple rounds and is available through June 30, 2027.
DHCS has engaged Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP)—with partners Aurrera Health Group, Homebase, Native Americans for Restorative Stewardship, and Perch Projects—to serve as the administrative entity supporting BHBH Program implementation.
We acknowledge and recognize that, from time immemorial, Native peoples have lived, cared for, and have been the traditional stewards of this land that we now call California. We acknowledge the painful past, and the many atrocities placed upon Native peoples and commit to moving forward in a respectful manner that does not cause more harm. We commit to celebrating the victories of Native peoples, advocating for culturally appropriate services, and supporting the education of ourselves and others on the history, resilience, and importance of caring for the land, air, waters, animals, and all living things. We also commit to building authentic, mutual, and lasting relationships with Tribes and Tribal communities, and we honor all Native peoples who work tirelessly towards justice and healing.
Funding for county behavioral health agencies (CBHAs) in California for the expansion of bridge housing settings for individuals experiencing homelessness with serious behavioral health conditions.
Funding for California Tribal communities to support bridge housing solutions to address the urgent needs of individuals with serious behavioral health conditions.
The BHBH Program builds on the CalHHS Guiding Principles and Strategic Priorities and enables DHCS, through its county and Tribal partners, to meaningfully contribute to the implementation of the California Interagency Council on Homelessness’s Action Plan for Preventing and Ending Homelessness in California. The BHBH Program will be implemented in alignment with the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Program, which prioritizes BHBH Program resources for CARE participants.
In 2023, point-in-time estimates of homelessness conducted nationwide revealed that almost half (49%) of Americans experiencing unsheltered homelessness are in California. (The California count identified 123,423 persons, and the national count identified 233,854.) Serious behavioral health conditions are prevalent among people experiencing homelessness in California: 27,774 (24.0%) self-reported having serious mental illness (SMI), and 28,999 (25.1%) self-reported a substance use disorder (SUD). Serious behavioral health conditions (SMI and SUD) can pose a significant obstacle to exiting homelessness and establishing housing stability.