Homelessness Prevention
To truly end homelessness in our community, we must address the problem upstream and take steps to prevent homelessness before it begins.
Through the countywide Homelessness Prevention System – a unique partnership between public agencies, private funders, and non-profit service providers – we’re providing temporary financial assistance, legal support and other services to help at-risk families and individuals maintain their housing and avoid falling into homelessness.
The Homelessness Prevention System laid the foundation for a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, informing several rent and financial relief programs to prevent a massive wave of displacement and homelessness. Nearly 25,000 households have been supported, including pandemic-era programs. Learn more about our community’s COVID-19 response.
Need Help Paying Rent?
The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System has assistance available for low-income families or individuals who are at risk of losing their housing.
Visit PreventHomelessness.org or view the flyers below for more information – and then call (408) 926-8885 to schedule a pre-screening appointment to determine if you qualify for assistance.
Why Focus on Prevention?
Homelessness prevention strategies have long held potential for reducing homelessness at a lower-cost and with much less suffering than waiting to assist a family or individual who’s been pushed onto the streets. And with more of our neighbors being pushed into homelessness than ever before, a focus on prevention has never been more important.
Evidence of Success
Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) studied the impact of the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System, identifying the first evidence from a randomized controlled trial to support what we’ve observed locally – immediate cash assistance prevents homelessness.
How our Homelessness Prevention System Works
The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System provides critical assistance to low-income households at imminent risk of becoming homeless, including:
Temporary Financial Assistance
Legal Support
Case Management and Other Services
The system prioritizes those at the highest-risk of falling into homelessness, utilizing a standardized pre-screening interview and questionnaire to help evaluate each household’s risk and the amount and type of assistance they need to stay housed. Read more about how our Homelessness Prevention System works
Our Partners
The system is administered through a unique partnership with 19 community-serving nonprofits – with Sacred Heart Community Service as the lead – and is funded by more than a dozen different government, corporate and philanthropic partners.
Learn more about this unique model and our many Homelessness Prevention System partners
Our Results
Since the system was launched in 2017, we have helped prevent homelessness for thousands of our most vulnerable residents – demonstrating the enormous potential impact that prevention strategies can have in our efforts to end homelessness in our community:
