The State of California through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is administering the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program (BHBH Program), including noncompetitive predetermined maximum funding to be awarded to county behavioral health agencies to operate bridge housing sengs to address the immediate and sustainable housing needs of people experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions, including serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD).
The Madera County Department of Behavioral Health Services (MCDBHS) will utilize the funds for a term of four years to lease 20 housing units with a local motel owner, for eligible single adults and families. The housing units will be leased to meet the needs of BHBH Program participants who face housing instability and homelessness among people with severe behavioral health conditions. Depending on their individual care plan under the MCDBHS treatment program, participants can remain in these housing units for an initial 6 months and after further evaluation, extend up to 12 months total. The goal is to provide a stable temporary housing situation with supportive wraparound services while an individual is locating, applying for, and/or obtaining permanent housing.
