Homeless Shelter Referrals

General Assistance applicants and recipients who are homeless must be offered in-kind housing (i.e. a bed in a county run shelter) or they must be issued the full grant entitlement (personal and housing needs). These referrals must be offered during the intake interview, at RRR, and upon client request.

The Social Services Agency partners with the County Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) and the Bill Wilson Center (BWC) to refer and place unhoused individuals in a shelter bed. The Here4You call center can be reached at 408-385-2400 (this number can be given to clients who are unable to be referred by an EW - i.e. do not have a phone or have not yet been approved for GA)

If the client declines the in-kind shelter offer due to personal preference or leaves shelter due to personal preference, they will receive the personal needs portion of the grant and may also be eligible for motel reimbursement see Motel Reimbursement for Homeless for more information. If a shelter bed is not available, or if the client meets an exception for not being able to be placed in a shelter, the full grant amount (both personal and housing needs) must be issued directly to the homeless individual.

In order to facilitate the applicant's/recipient's ability to obtain permanent housing, the client will also be given the packet of forms for landlords (“Housing Assistance Verification” [GA 31] or “Client’s Housing Assistance Statement” [GA 11], and Tax Reporting to IRS and FTB” [GA 31 L]).

Exceptions to Homeless Shelter Referrals

The “Homeless Shelter Screening Form and Sworn Statement” (GA 2495) must be used to determine if an individual can be excused from shelter placement requirements. The following reasons listed on the GA 2495 are allowable automatic exceptions to a shelter referral:

I have concerns for my health or safety when staying in a shelter.
- An abusive partner or someone who trafficked them knows where the shelters are and may look for them in the shelters.
- Someone who abused or trafficked them lives in the same neighborhood as the available shelter.
- An abusive former partner is also housed in the shelter.
- A person or group who has made threats against the client is also housed in the shelter.
- A person or group housed in the shelter has previously verbally harassed the client.
- The client is fearful of contracting COVID-19 or other illness.
  - Note: Placement at a different shelter location may be a solution for some of these scenarios - clients must be made aware of this option.
Staying in a shelter would make my mental health issue much worse.

Important: Circumstances not listed above may also be reported by the client on the GA 2495, but will require a Director’s Exception (approval from the Agency Director or his/her designee). If at any time the client’s needs cannot be accommodated by the shelter, the EW must revisit the exceptions and the option to request a Director’s Exception with the client.

Circumstances that do not qualify for an automatic exception:

Clients are not automatically excused from homeless shelter placement requirements due to meeting the circumstances below, however they always have the option to explain their particular circumstances and request a Director’s Exception:

Have a pet. Shelters can accommodate most pets, and clients are not excused from shelter placement if their pet can be accommodated.
Have items they do not want to leave behind. Shelters can provide significant storage, including bike storage.
Have a physical disability. Shelters or other housing placements can accommodate most physical disabilities.
Lack transportation to the shelter. Transportation can be arranged.
Have a car. Parking in secured lots is available at many shelters.
Have a preference to remain in a certain geographic area. There are shelters throughout Santa Clara County and your geographic preference will be taken into account.
Do not want to be placed in a shelter because of personal preference.

[Refer to "Homeless Shelter Referrals" in the DEBS BP].

Homeless Shelter Referrals

Exceptions to Homeless Shelter Referrals

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