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Emergency Housing Assistance
Life's challenges can be overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate housing emergencies alone.
This page connects you to resources, support services and practical tools to address your urgent housing needs.
Core Service Agencies (CSAs)
Core Service Agencies provide safety net services to San Mateo County residents in need of food, emergency housing assistance, utility assistance, shelter, and other basic needs.
YMCA Community Resource Center
Location: 1486 Huntington Ave, South San Francisco
Phone Number: (650) 276-4101
By Appointment Only: Monday - Friday 8 AM – 4 PM
Drop-In Hours:
- Monday: 8 AM – 12 PM
- Tuesday/Thursday: 12 PM – 4 PM
Service Areas: South San Francisco, Brisbane, San Bruno
Find the Support You Need
Click through the tabs below to explore resources tailored to your housing needs, including services and contact details for trusted organizations.
- Eviction Resources and Support
- Homelessness Shelter and Support
- Housing Discrimination
- Natural Disasters
We’ve gathered essential resources to help you understand your rights, navigate legal processes, and take action to prevent displacement. Whether you need immediate legal assistance or long-term support, these trusted organizations are here to help.
Project Sentinel
- Services: Assistance with tenant-landlord disputes, repairs, deposits, privacy, and fair housing.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (408) 720-9888
- Website: Visit Project Sentinel
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
- Services: Legal advice and representation on housing issues, including evictions and tenant rights.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (650) 558-0915
- Website: Visit Legal Aid Society
Tenant Power Toolkit
- Services: A step-by-step guide for tenants to understand their rights, respond to eviction notices, and prepare for court appearances.
- Website: Access the Tenant Power Toolkit
California Courts: Self-Help Center
- Services: Legal forms, eviction process information, and resources for self-represented tenants.
- Website: Visit California Courts Self-Help Center
Statewide Tenant Hotline (Tenants Together)
- Services: Information and counseling on eviction cases.
- Phone: (888) 495-8020
- Website: Visit Tenants Together
Resources are available to provide immediate shelter, essential services, and support on your journey toward stability. Explore trusted organizations and programs ready to help.
2-1-1
- Services: A 24/7 helpline connecting individuals to local resources, including housing, food, and financial assistance.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: 2-1-1
- Website: 2-1-1 Bay Area
Dignity on Wheels
- Services: Mobile showers, laundry services, and hygiene resources for unhoused individuals.
- Website: Visit Dignity on Wheels
LifeMoves Opportunity Services Center
- Services: Comprehensive day services for homeless individuals, including meals, showers, and job training.
- Phone: (650) 853-8672
- Website: Visit LifeMoves
WeHope Shelter
- Services: Offers food, overnight shelter, dental care, health services, and transportation.
- Phone: (650) 330-8000
- Website: Visit WeHope Shelter
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance
- Services: Provides temporary shelter, rental subsidies, and housing navigation for eligible families.
- Phone: (650) 301-8445
- Website: Learn More
Resources are available to help you understand your rights, report violations, and secure the housing you deserve. Explore trusted organizations and programs ready to provide guidance, legal support, and advocacy.
HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)
- Services: Assistance filing complaints about housing discrimination under federal law.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (800) 669-9777
- Website: Visit HUD FHEO
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
- Services: Investigates complaints and enforces California’s fair housing laws.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (800) 884-1684
- Website: Visit DFEH
Project Sentinel
- Services: Support with fair housing disputes, tenant advocacy, and discrimination cases.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (408) 720-9888
- Website: Visit Project Sentinel
Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly, leaving you in need of shelter, assistance, and resources to recover. These organizations and programs are here to help you rebuild and regain stability.
Local Shelters and Evacuation Centers
- Services: Emergency accommodations and support services during disasters.
- Contact Information:
- Find Local Shelters: Visit San Mateo County Emergency Services
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
- Services: State-level disaster relief coordination, evacuation updates, and recovery resources.
- Website: Visit Cal OES
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Services: Disaster assistance programs, temporary housing, and financial aid for recovery.
- Phone: (800) 621-3362
- Website: Visit FEMA
American Red Cross
- Services: Emergency shelter, disaster relief supplies, and assistance with recovery planning.
- Phone: (800) 733-2767
- Website: Visit Red Cross