San Bernardino offers a wide range of assistance programs for people experiencing homelessness, including emergency shelters, housing search guidance services, rental assistance, and case management.
Individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in San Bernardino can access immediate housing assistance and support services by calling the San Bernardino Homeless Assistance Hotline at (909) 936-3478, or the County Office of Homeless Services at (909) 501-0610. For coordinated placement in shelters and housing programs throughout the region, residents should dial 211 to contact the Coordinated Entry System (CES), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and managed by Inland SoCal 211.
Street Outreach & Crisis Response
SB City Outreach
A joint field team, operated by the City and the Salvation Army. They provide direct field intervention, transportation to shelters, and family reunification services five days a week.
Team H.O.P.E.
Administered by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. This specialized community policing unit connects homeless residents with essential service providers. They can be contacted for requests for field assistance by calling (909) 387-0623.
Emergency and Transitional Shelters
Salvation Army Transitional Living Center
The Salvation Army Transitional Living Center (TLC)—also known as Hospitality House—is located at 925 W. 10th St., San Bernardino, CA 92411. You can contact the facility directly for immediate updates on vacancies and admission criteria by calling (909) 888-4880.
The facility primarily provides beds designated for homeless families, single mothers with children, and married couples. The admission policy also accommodates multi-generational families and single fathers with dependent children.
- Approved clients receive an initial emergency shelter stay of 14 days.
- Residents with active income may extend their stay up to 90 days. This requires signing an agreement to save 75% of all their income.
Staff conduct comprehensive client assessments to create personalized case plans, providing assistance with legal documentation and housing search resources.
Operation Grace
Operation Grace is located at 1595 Art Townsend Dr, San Bernardino, CA 92408. You can contact the program office directly to check for bed availability, receive emergency updates, and obtain support resources by calling (909) 382-8540.
Emergency Shelters
The emergency shelter program provides immediate, safe housing specifically for women and minor children facing crisis situations. Staff handle administrative processing Monday through Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Transitional and Low-Income Housing
The Transitional Program offers affordable temporary apartments for individuals and multi-generational families preparing to transition into conventional community housing. The housing placement protocol yields proven results: approximately 90% of housed clients successfully transition into independent, long-term housing.
Time for Change Foundation
The headquarters of the Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) is located at 2164 N. Mountain View Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92405. To inquire about immediate program availability, shelter placement, or to undergo an intake assessment, please contact the main office at (909) 886-2994.
TFCF specializes in emergency and permanent housing, exclusively for homeless women, single mothers with minor children, and women in transition following release from prison or substance abuse recovery programs. The foundation centers its models on family reunification, coordinating with child welfare agencies to facilitate the return of children currently in foster care to their mothers.
Other Housing Programs
Emergency Shelters: TFCF operates four local emergency shelters that provide intensive stabilization services and immediate safety. This includes the Mountain View Shelter and a newly opened facility featuring child-friendly spaces.
W.I.S.H. Program: The “Wellness Is Stabilized Housing” initiative is specifically designed for women who have been incarcerated. It provides funding for security deposits, cash grants for moving expenses, first month’s rent assistance, and eviction prevention services.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Offers 10 scattered-site permanent apartments, accompanied by ongoing case management, for individuals requiring long-term stability.
Phoenix Square Complex: Developed by TFCF as the first affordable housing apartment complex in San Bernardino, it features seven permanent units designated for program graduates transitioning toward full independence. Rental Support and Permanent Housing
CAPSBC Housing Assistance
The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County offers up to 3 months of emergency assistance for past-due rent payments to eligible low-income tenants facing eviction.
The main office of the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) is located at 696 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408. To undergo a direct eligibility assessment, check program waitlists, or schedule an appointment, please contact the Family Development Program at (909) 723-1558 or send an email to fdpservices@capsbc.org.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Maximum Benefit: The program provides financial assistance in an amount covering up to a maximum of 3 months of overdue rent.
Payment Clause: Cash grants are never disbursed directly to tenants; financial payments are sent strictly to the landlord or property manager.
Debt Resolution Rule: To qualify, the 3-month payment must fully settle the entire outstanding rent debt; alternatively, the tenant must submit a signed payment agreement with the landlord to affordably settle any remaining balance.
Eligibility and Documentation Rules
Income Restrictions: Total household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Proof of Financial Hardship: Applicants must submit formal documentation demonstrating verifiable financial hardship experienced within the last 12 months (e.g., job loss, reduction in income, or sudden extreme expenses).
Immigration Status: Housing stabilization services are available to all eligible residents of San Bernardino County, regardless of their legal immigration status.
Basic Documentation Checklist: The intake process requires the submission of official government-issued identification and complete proof of income for all adults residing in the household.
Step Up San Bernardino
Step Up San Bernardino housing programs limit tenants’ rent contribution to exactly 30% of their adjusted monthly household income, adhering to strict guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since these options fall under the category of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), government rent subsidies cover the remaining balance of the market-rate rent.
This structure ensures that individuals with minimal or fixed incomes—such as Social Security benefits—can maintain stable housing over the long term. Income Percentage Limit: Tenants are strictly responsible for allocating 30% of their actual income toward rent payments.
Protection for Zero Income: If a participant has no income at the time of entering the program, their base rent share is set at $0 until they secure a source of income.
Typical Rent Range: For individuals receiving the standard federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the tenant’s rent share typically averages around $340 per month.
Income Eligibility Limit: To qualify for these units, an individual’s total income cannot exceed 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), the maximum cap for which is approximately $18,500 per year.
Legal Protections: Properties financed through state programs—such as California Project Homekey—are legally bound by affordability covenants. Property owners cannot arbitrarily raise tenants’ rent to match market rates.
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance
The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program in San Bernardino County provides critical emergency housing funds for families who are currently receiving—or appear to be eligible to receive—CalWORKs cash aid.
To apply, you may submit an application online via BenefitsCal or visit the main city office at 265 E. Fourth St., San Bernardino, CA 92410. You may also call the County Department of Transitional Assistance (TAD) Customer Service Center at (877) 410-8829.
Temporary Homeless Assistance (Emergency Hotel Vouchers)
Duration Limit: Provides funds for temporary lodging for a maximum of 16 calendar days within a 12-month period.
Daily Allowance Rates: Families receive $85 per day for an Assistance Unit (AU) of 4 members or fewer, plus $15 for each additional member, up to a maximum cap of $145 per day.
Exclusive Commercial Use: Vouchers are valid exclusively for licensed commercial establishments, such as local motels or hotels.
Lifetime Extension Option: Under rare exceptions involving extreme hardship, families may qualify for a one-time lifetime extension of up to 32 additional temporary days.
Permanent Housing Assistance for Homeless Individuals (Move-in Assistance)
Financial Scope: Offers a one-time, non-recurring cash payment to assist homeless families in securing permanent housing.
Fund Allocation: Covers the cost of the security deposit and the last month’s rent required by the landlord.
Eviction Prevention Track: Alternatively, the permanent housing track may pay up to two months of rental arrears to resolve a “Pay or Quit” notice and halt active eviction proceedings.
Rent Limit Threshold: The monthly rent for the chosen apartment may not exceed 80% of the family’s total gross monthly income. 3. CalWORKs Housing Support Program (Rapid Rehousing)
Program Partnership: Administered through a collaboration between TAD, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, and the non-profit organization KEYS.
Long-Term Support: Offers extended short-term rental assistance, coverage of moving expenses, credit repair services, and landlord mediation, with the aim of stabilizing families over time.
Referral Requirement: Families cannot apply for KEYS services directly; they must be referred by an active TAD eligibility worker.
City Net BFH Program
City Net’s “Bringing Families Home” (BFH) Housing Navigation Program in San Bernardino County is a specialized initiative designed to reduce homelessness among families involved in the child welfare system. As this is an integrated, state-funded program, families cannot apply directly to City Net; instead, they must be officially referred through the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) division. For general inquiries or to contact the service provider, you may reach City Net directly by calling (714) 451-6198 or by emailing contactus@citynet.org.
Food and Basic Needs Resources
Mary’s Mercy Center Inc
Located in the Central Valley region; Phone: (909) 889-2558. Offers daily hot meals and basic nutritional resources.
Lutheran Social Services
Offers emergency food pantries, clothing distribution, and case management assistance from its local center; Phone: (909) 381-6921.
