CalWORKs Housing Support Program Serves Nearly 1,500 Families Over 10 Years

Author: Department of Social Services
Date: 12/12/2024 8:00 AM

The partnership between County of San Luis Obispo and Family Care Network creates stability and supports independence for central coast families.

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San Luis Obispo, CA—The County of San Luis Obispo celebrates a decade of impactful work through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) Housing Support Program (HSP), a public-private partnership between the County of San Luis Obispo’s Department of Social Services and Family Care Network that has transformed the lives of hundreds of local families experiencing housing instability.

Since its start in 2014, the CalWORKs Housing Support Program has helped 1,487 San Luis Obispo County families and nearly 2,500 children achieve housing stability and access critical supportive services through case management. Among those served, 101 families avoided eviction through prevention services and 799 families successfully transitioned from homelessness to permanent housing. These efforts reflect the program’s mission to empower families so they may achieve independence and lead financially stable lives. 

“Our goal is to make them so successful that they no longer qualify for these services,” said Jenny Hart, Participant Services Division Manager. “The program works by focusing on eviction prevention, rapidly re-housing families, and providing wraparound services to find housing stability and lifelong success.”

Participants in the CalWORKs Housing Support Program work with a case manager to address their immediate housing needs and develop a long-term plan to find a safe and stable home. The program also offers financial assistance for application fees, credit repair, security deposits, and utility payments. Enrollees are encouraged to participate in workshops on topics such as budgeting and financial literacy.

“With this program, we meet people where they are—sometimes that is helping them transition from the streets to the safety of a hotel, when funding is available, or supporting them as they work on their long-term housing plan,” said CalWORKs Housing Support Program Manager Anna Bliss. “Once they move into their new home, we provide essentials like beds, kitchen supplies, and other basics to help them settle in. Our goal is to give families a foundation to pursue their dreams, and that starts with a warm bed and a safe place to call home.”

Through its collaborative partnership with Family Care Network, the CalWORKs Housing Support Program has set a model for providing families with sustainable community services in San Luis Obispo County. 

“The program empowers parents to use the tools and resources they need to find success,” said Jon Nibbio, Chief Operations Officer for Family Care Network. “Our team builds on a family’s strengths and provides a hand up. These parents want to contribute to the community and provide better futures for their kids. This program is here to support their hard work.” 

The program is made possible through collaboration with local landlords. Family Care Network works to connect families with housing opportunities, providing tenant education and mediation support through case managers.

“Parents understand they need to put in the work to maintain their placement,” added Nibbio. “The experienced case managers, navigators, and peer specialists provide support to both tenants and landlords, which makes everything work better for everyone.” 

Currently, there is a critical need for additional landlords willing to partner with Family Care Network and the CalWORKs Housing Support Program. “If we had another 100 beds, we could rent those beds and help to change the trajectory of the children’s lives,” said Nibbio. 

Prospective landlords interested in supporting local families can contact Family Care Network at [email protected] to learn more about the program and how to get involved.

CalWORKs, funded through the California Department of Social Services and part of the broader Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, provides cash aid and services to eligible California families. In addition to the housing support, CalWORKs offers employment services, childcare, and education, as well as support and referrals for mental health, substance misuse, and intimate partner violence through their individualized case plans. 

Families enrolled in CalWORKs also benefit from other government programs, including Medi-Cal for medical care and CalFresh for food assistance. Family members seeking employment may also receive free vocational education, paid job training, and access to skill development workshops through SLO Cal Careers. 

The CalWORKs program is available to low-income families with at least one eligible child. For more information on the program, visit slocounty.gov/CalWORKs. To apply for CalWORKs, please go to BenefitsCal.com or contact your local Department of Social Services Office.