Helps low-income California households pay heating and cooling bills with crisis assistance grants up to
,500. California received 12M in LIHEAP funding distributed through local community action agencies. Apply at caliheapapply.com or call 1-866-675-6623. Income eligibility required — generally up to 60% of state median income. Assistance provided as a one-time annual benefit paid directly to your utility provider.
1-866-675-6623 · Local agencies statewide · Online 24/7; agency hours vary · Visit Website
4. Los Angeles Mission — Men's Emergency Shelter — Free
LA's largest provider of emergency shelter and meals for homeless men on Skid Row. Walk-in intake at 4:30pm daily — arrive early as space fills quickly. Provides long-term rehabilitation programs, job training, vocational education, and transitional housing for men ready to make a change. Call (213) 629-1227 for information. Located on 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles. No appointment needed for emergency shelter.
(213) 629-1227 · 303 E. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 · Walk-in 4:30pm daily · Visit Website
5. SF Navigation Centers — Homeless Services — Free
Low-threshold 24/7 shelters throughout San Francisco where men can bring partners, pets, and belongings. Connected to on-site case management, primary medical care, and housing placement services. Call (628) 652-8000 or visit sf.gov for locations and availability. Navigation Centers are designed to bridge the gap between street homelessness and permanent housing. Outreach workers can help connect you to a Navigation Center.
(628) 652-8000 · Multiple SF locations · 24/7 residential; hotline 24/7 · Visit Website
6. San Diego Rescue Mission — Men's Program — Free
Emergency shelter, hot meals, and a 12-month state-licensed rehabilitation program for homeless men since 1955. Addiction recovery, life skills, and job placement services. Call (619) 819-1826 or email sdrminfo@sdrescue.org for intake information. 24/7 emergency intake at the Elm Street location in downtown San Diego. Long-term recovery program includes counseling, vocational training, and post-program housing assistance.
(619) 819-1826 · 120 Elm St., San Diego, CA 92101 · 24/7 emergency intake · Visit Website
7. Loaves & Fishes — Sacramento — Free
Sacramento's largest daytime services provider for unhoused individuals. Daily hot meal served to 600-1,000 guests, plus showers, laundry facilities, clothing distribution, and housing assistance navigation. Fathers with children are welcome. Open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. Call (916) 446-0874 or visit sacloaves.org for current service hours. Located on North C Street in Sacramento. No documentation required to receive meals.
(916) 446-0874 · 1351 North C St., Sacramento, CA 95811 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website
8. HUD Housing Counseling — California — Free
Free HUD-certified housing counselors across California for foreclosure prevention, eviction defense, mortgage modification, and rental assistance navigation. Foreclosure prevention and homeless counseling are always free. Call 1-800-569-4287 or use the HUD locator to find a certified agency near you. Counselors help you understand your options, negotiate with lenders, and connect with emergency rental assistance programs.
1-800-569-4287 · Statewide agencies · Varies; national line Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website
9. Catholic Charities of California — Free
Emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention, and housing stability services across 9 Catholic Charities agencies in 37 California counties. Services provided regardless of religion, background, or immigration status. Call (916) 706-1539 or visit catholiccharitiesca.org to find your nearest agency. Also provides food assistance, immigration services, and financial counseling. Serves over 100,000 Californians annually.
(916) 706-1539 · 1107 9th Street, Suite 707, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website
10. Salvation Army Southern California — Free
Emergency rent and utility assistance, transitional housing, food pantries, and family services for fathers and families in crisis. Nationwide hotline available at 1-844-458-4673 Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm. Multiple California locations offering varying services. Visit socal.salvationarmy.org to find the nearest corps location. No requirements based on religion. Walk-in assistance available at most locations during business hours.
1-844-458-4673 · Multiple CA locations · Hotline Mon-Sat 6am-6pm; corps hours vary · Visit Website
11. Weingart Center — Downtown LA Men's Shelter — Free
One of LA's largest providers of transitional housing and emergency shelter for single adults in downtown Los Angeles. Services include job training, addiction recovery programs, case management, and permanent housing placement assistance. Call (213) 627-9000 for intake information. Walk-in intake Monday-Friday 8am-4pm at the San Pedro Street location on Skid Row. Capacity varies — call ahead to confirm availability.
(213) 627-9000 · 566 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 · Intake Mon-Fri 8-4 · Visit Website
12. St. Vincent de Paul Village — San Diego — Free
Largest comprehensive homeless services provider in San Diego. Offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, on-site medical clinic, dental services, job training, and childcare for homeless families. Call (619) 233-8500 for intake. Located on Imperial Avenue near downtown. 24/7 emergency services available. Serves single adults and families with children. A one-stop campus addressing multiple barriers to housing stability.
(619) 233-8500 · 1501 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 · 24/7 emergency; services Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
13. Sacramento Self-Help Housing — Free
Free housing search assistance for the Sacramento area including emergency shelter referrals, rapid rehousing coordination, and landlord mediation to help prevent evictions. Call (916) 341-0593 for assistance. Located on Watt Avenue in Sacramento. Staff help navigate available housing options, connect with rental assistance programs, and mediate disputes between tenants and landlords. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
(916) 341-0593 · 3800 Watt Ave., Suite 240, Sacramento, CA 95821 · Mon-Fri 8-5
14. Homebase — Bay Area Homeless Services — Free
Nonprofit creating practical solutions for homelessness in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area. Services include free legal representation, housing navigation, and policy advocacy. Call (415) 788-7961 or visit homebaseccc.org. Located in San Francisco's financial district. Homebase focuses on systems-level change while also providing direct legal services to individuals and families facing eviction or housing instability.
(415) 788-7961 · 870 Market St., Suite 1228, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website
15. PATH — People Assisting The Homeless (LA) — Free
Leading homeless services provider in LA County offering rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing placement, employment services, and integrated health care. Operates emergency shelters and outreach access centers throughout Los Angeles. Call (323) 644-2200 or visit epath.org. Located on Madison Avenue in Los Feliz. PATH serves thousands of homeless individuals and families annually across multiple LA County locations.
(323) 644-2200 · 340 N. Madison Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004 · Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 · Visit Website
16. California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) — Free
California state agency providing low-interest first-time homebuyer loans, down payment assistance grants, and mortgage credit certificates for qualifying California families. Call (877) 922-5432 or visit calhfa.ca.gov. Located in Sacramento. Programs require completion of an approved homebuyer education course. Income and purchase price limits apply by county. A valuable resource for single-income fathers working toward homeownership.
(877) 922-5432 · 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
17. Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino — Free
Emergency rent assistance, utility bill help, food distribution, and workforce development services for low-income families and individuals in San Bernardino County. Call (909) 723-1500 or visit capsbc.org. Located in San Bernardino. Income eligibility required. CAPSBC is the designated Community Action Agency for the county. Also offers Head Start childcare and financial literacy programs. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
(909) 723-1500 · 696 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92415 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
Housing & Financial — Common Questions
- How long is the waitlist for Section 8?
- Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
- What does 211 do?
- 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
- Can single dads get TANF?
- Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
- What's LIHEAP?
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.