How many housing & financial resources are in California?

Women's Corner tracks 15 housing & financial resources for women in California.

Are housing & financial resources in California free?

15 of the 15 listed housing & financial resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in California have housing & financial resources?

Listings span cities including Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bellflower.

What are some examples of housing & financial resources in California?

Featured entries include California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), California Emergency Rental Assistance, Housing Authority of LA, San Francisco Housing Authority, Salvation Army California — Emergency Aid.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 15 California housing & financial listings include phone numbers.

How long is the Section 8 waitlist?

It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.

211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.

Can I get TANF as a single mother?

Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.

What if I'm being evicted?

Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.

Best Housing & Financial in California — 15 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties, with the Department of Child Support Services running enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs). Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento are the major metros. LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and Planned Parenthood affiliates serve women statewide.

15 Resources

1. California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) — Free

CalHFA at 500 Capitol Mall in Sacramento administers below-market first mortgages, down-payment assistance (MyHome and Forgivable Equity Builder), and the CalHFA Subordinate Loan for low and moderate-income California first-time buyers. Single-mother households frequently qualify for the most generous tiers. The agency also funds affordable rental development across the state. CalHFA-approved lenders process applications; the agency itself doesn't lend directly.

(877) 922-5432 · 500 Capitol Mall Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. California Emergency Rental Assistance — Free

The state's CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program at (833) 430-2122 evolved into emergency rental assistance administered through county partners. Mothers behind on rent can apply for back-rent and utility help, with priority for households at or below 50% Area Median Income. Some counties (LA, Sacramento, San Diego) maintain their own ongoing programs after the federal funds ran down; the state line refers callers accordingly.

(833) 430-2122 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Housing Authority of LA — Free

HACLA at 2600 Wilshire operates 3,500+ public housing units across the City of LA plus the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program serving 50,000+ households. Mothers can apply when the waitlist opens (typically every 2-3 years); HACLA also operates emergency Family Self-Sufficiency programs and a Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing partnership with VA Greater LA. Applications are processed online; in-person assistance is by appointment.

(213) 252-2500 · 2600 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. San Francisco Housing Authority — Free

SFHA at 1815 Egbert in the Bayview operates public housing (now mostly converted to RAD/Section 8 project-based units through the HOPE SF rebuilds) and the Housing Choice Voucher program. Single mothers with children typically score high preference points. The agency partners with MEDA and Tenderloin Housing Clinic for ESL-friendly intake. Waitlists are managed online through DAHLIA, San Francisco's affordable housing portal.

(415) 715-3291 · 1815 Egbert Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Salvation Army California — Emergency Aid — Free

The Salvation Army operates dozens of California corps including major service centers in LA (562 W Pico), San Francisco (1500 Valencia), Oakland, and San Diego. Mothers can request one-time rent and utility assistance, holiday food boxes, and clothing vouchers; some corps also operate transitional shelter for mothers and children. Funding fluctuates with United Way and direct giving cycles. Call (800) 725-2769 to find your nearest corps.

(800) 725-2769 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

6. Habitat for Humanity — Los Angeles — Free

Habitat for Humanity Greater LA at 8739 Artesia in Bellflower builds 30+ affordable homes per year and sells them at 0% interest to qualifying low-income mothers willing to contribute 500 sweat-equity hours. The Home Preservation program also funds critical repairs for low-income LA homeowners aging in place. Application opens when new developments break ground; sign up for alerts on the website.

(310) 323-4663 · 8739 Artesia Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. United Way of California — Financial Stability — Free

United Way of California is the statewide coordinating body for 16 local United Ways operating Free Tax Prep (VITA), the CalEITC4Me CalEITC outreach, and 211 service routing in every California county. Mothers dial 211 from any phone to be connected to rent, utility, food, and childcare assistance based on county availability. Free Tax Prep sites help mothers claim CalEITC, federal EITC, and the California Young Child Tax Credit.

211 · Statewide service · 24/7 via 211 · Visit Website

8. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD's California field offices in San Francisco, LA, Santa Ana, San Diego, and Fresno administer federal housing programs including Section 8, public housing oversight, FHA mortgages, and HUD-VASH for veterans. The site's local office locator routes California mothers to fair housing complaint intake, REAC inspection records on Section 8 properties, and HUD-approved housing counselors who provide free pre-purchase and foreclosure-avoidance counseling.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's Continuum of Care program funds 44 California regional CoCs from LA's massive LAHSA to small rural agencies in the Sierras. Mothers experiencing homelessness can use the CoC locator to find Coordinated Entry, the front door to PSH and Rapid Re-housing in California. Family-specific resources include the Family Connection toolkit explaining how children's school stability is protected under McKinney-Vento.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

LIHEAP in California is administered as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program through the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), with intake handled by local community action agencies (MAOF in LA, OCCS in Sacramento, etc.). Mothers can receive one-time bill credits, weatherization, and air conditioning installation in heat-vulnerable inland counties. Apply through your county's CAA between November and August.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

The Salvation Army USA locator finds the nearest California corps providing emergency shelter, rent assistance, food pantries, and utility help. Programs vary by corps: LA's Bell Shelter is one of the largest in the country, while smaller corps in Bakersfield or Eureka focus on food and one-time aid. Search by zip code to confirm what's available locally before calling, and bring photo ID plus proof of address to intake.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities operates 12 California diocesan agencies (Sacramento, San Francisco, LA, San Diego, San Bernardino, Fresno, etc.) providing emergency rent and utility assistance, food pantries, refugee resettlement, and family housing programs regardless of religion. The national locator helps California mothers find their nearest agency; intake processes and available funding vary by diocese and current grant cycles.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. United Way Worldwide — Free

United Way Worldwide is the umbrella for California's 16 local United Ways including UWGLA, UW Bay Area, and Capital Region United Way. Mothers can use the national locator to find their local UW's specific programs—First 5-aligned home visiting in some counties, eviction defense funds in others, and the universal 211 routing service everywhere in California.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat for Humanity has 45 California affiliates from Humboldt to San Diego building affordable homeownership and operating ReStore resale outlets that fund the mission. California mothers can find their local affiliate to apply for a Habitat home, sign up for a critical-repair grant, or volunteer to earn sweat-equity hours for someone else's home. Eligibility focuses on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise has affiliates in San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Santa Clara County, and other California regions providing emergency shelter through a rotating-host-congregation model and case management leading to permanent housing. Especially valuable for two-parent and multi-child California families who can't access mom-and-kids-only DV shelters or single adult emergency shelters.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in California?: Women's Corner tracks 15 housing & financial resources for women in California.
Are housing & financial resources in California free?: 15 of the 15 listed housing & financial resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in California have housing & financial resources?: Listings span cities including Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bellflower.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in California?: Featured entries include California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), California Emergency Rental Assistance, Housing Authority of LA, San Francisco Housing Authority, Salvation Army California — Emergency Aid.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 15 California housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?: It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?: Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?: Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.