Bridges to Housing provides homeless individuals or families with a deposit when they have found a place to move into. The criteria required is based on the individual's needs and income status. They must have some type of income to qualify. To start the application process a client must stop by the office and pick up an application.

Program Guidelines and Verification Requirements

Guidelines

• Deposit funding is determined by need.
• The client's ret must be no more that 60% of the monthly income.
• The client must have a stable income and is sustainable going forward.
• A client's income must not exceed the Federal Proverty Guidelines.
• Funding is one time only.
• Intake is based on at least one interview.
• Client must find and secure their own rental.

Verification Requirements

• Photo identification for all adults in the household, 18 and over.
• Social Security cards for all household members.
• Income: Passport to services, social security letter or 3 recent months' pay-stubs.
• Section 8 voucher, if applicable.
• C…

Affordable Housing Program (Regional Housing Authority) provides safe, decent, and affordable housing options for low-income individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. It includes public housing units owned and managed by the authority and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) that help participants rent in the private market. Rent is typically based on income (around 30%), and the program ensures compliance with federal and state standards while supporting housing stability and community development.

How to Apply for Affordable Housing

• Submit an application during an open waitlist period.
• Meet basic eligibility requirements, including:
• Income limits
• Citizenship status
• Household size
• Being on the waitlist does not guarantee housing; it is the first step in the process.
• Applicants must keep the Housing Authority updated in writing about any changes to:
• Address
• Income
• Preferences
• Family composition

Web pages

• Home - https://…

The Children’s Community Chest Program offers emergency funding to meet the needs of children ages 0-18 in Nevada and Sierra County families when no other community support is available. 

Funds are intended for urgent situations and must be requested by a public or nonprofit agency.

Covered areas include Nevada County and the Sierra County portions of the Tahoe-Truckee region.

Support may include:

• Emergency rental assistance
• Transportation or car repair costs
• Utility payments to prevent shut-off
• Medical or counseling expenses
• Summer camp enrollment

Requests must include documentation of need, such as a price quote or bill, and are submitted by agencies on behalf of the family. Funding is limited and supported by community donations.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.sncs.org/
• Children's Community Chest - https://www.sncs.org/resources.html?tp3=1_2
• Community Chest Application & Guidelines - http://www.sncs.org/PDFs/Forms/Community_Chest_Application.pdf
• Contact - htt…

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund offers interest-free loans to eligible federal employees experiencing short-term financial hardship due to qualifying personal emergencies. 

The program helps prevent cascading financial instability by providing fast, repayable support for emergency expenses such as rent, medical bills, or utilities.

Services include:

• Interest-free loans for short-term emergency expenses
• Assistance with rent, utilities, medical bills, and funeral costs
• Rapid application review and response (typically within 3 business days)
• Direct deposit of approved loan funds

Additional notes:

Emergency assistance is provided as a repayable loan, not a grant. Loans are typically repaid through payroll allotment or direct payments. Loan amounts vary based on need and situation.

Loans cannot be used for routine expenses such as credit card debt, school tuition, or federal income taxes. This program is not available to Postal Service employees or contractors.

Web …

United Way of Nevada County administers the Emergency Fund, which provides one-time financial assistance to Nevada and Sierra County residents experiencing a temporary and verifiable emergency that threatens their housing, health, or safety.

The fund is designed as a last resort to address unexpected crises where no other resources are available. It is not intended for ongoing needs or chronic financial hardship.

Services include:

• One-time financial support for emergency needs affecting housing, health, or safety
• Assistance with costs such as rental deposits, urgent vehicle repairs, or appliance replacement
• Payment support for unusually high utility bills

Additional notes:

Applications are submitted online.

Rental assistance is for security deposit assistance only; this program does not provide rent payment assistance for people already living in their rental.

Web pages

• Home - https://uwnc.org/
• Emergency Fund - https://uwnc.org/emergency-fund
• Application - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp…

Habitat for Humanity partners with local families to build and sell affordable homes in Nevada County. The Home Ownership Program helps low-income families become homeowners by offering affordable mortgages and support throughout the homebuilding process.

Services include:

• Affordable homeownership opportunities for income-qualified families
• Income eligibility between 30% and 80% of the Nevada County area median income
• 500-hour “sweat equity” commitment per household toward home construction or other Habitat services
• Selection process based on need, income stability, and partnership readiness
• Application review process that includes interviews and home visits by the selection committee

Web pages

• Home - https://nchabitat.org/

Habitat for Humanity partners with low-income families in Placer County to build safe, affordable homes. The Home Ownership Program offers an opportunity for eligible households to purchase a home through a long-term, affordable mortgage.

Services include:

• Constructions of affordable homes in partnership with local families
• Homeownership opportunities to qualifying low-income households
• Long-term, affordable mortgage options
• Support throughout the application and home-buying process

Additional notes:

Program availability depends on funding, land availability, and construction timelines.

Web pages

• Home - http://www.foothillshabitat.org/

The Homeless Outreach and Medical Engagement (HOME) Team provides case management, outreach, and health services for people experiencing homelessness in Nevada County.

The team includes outreach workers, housing navigators, a peer support specialist, and a registered nurse. Services are provided in the field to meet people where they are. The program is a collaboration between Nevada County, Hospitality House, AMI Housing, and Turning Point.

Services include:

• Conducts street outreach and case management
• Provides housing navigation and assistance
• Offers medical care and health education in the field
• Connects people to mental health and substance use services
• Partners with local organizations and agencies for collaborative care

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/2869/HOME-Team

Hospitality House offers a year-round, temporary, overnight emergency shelter for homeless residents of Western Nevada County who have lived in the county for 45 days or more. ID not required.

Services available to those who are staying at the shelter include:

• Emergency shelter
• Food
• Clothing
• Showers
• Laundry
• Job training
• Customized case management
• Mental health counseling
• Enrichment classes
• Transportation
• Housing assistance

Intakes

• 7 days a week (based on availability)

Animals

• Hospitality House accepts approved pets. Contact Hospitality House or ask a 211 call agent for details of the pet policy.
  
  

Web pages

• Home - www.hhshelter.org

NOTE: 211 gets inquiries about the apartments behind Safeway. Brunswick Commons is the apartment complex on Old Tunnel Rd behind the Safeway, etc in Grass Valley. Members of the general public cannot apply for units because the complex is entirely devoted to people who are clients of Hospitality House, Turning Point, or Nevada County Behavioral Health. Peopl…

MISI Community Solutions provides housing assistance services to help individuals and families find stable, safe homes and navigate available resources.

Services include:

• Housing navigation and deposit assistance
• Medi-Cal support for housing
• Housing tenancy services
• Recuperative Care (Medical Respite) Program. This program is designed to support members who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing housing and require a short-term, safe, and stable environment to recover after an illness, injury, or hospital stay. Recuperative Care provides.

• • Temporary housing

• • Three meals per day
  • Daily non-clinical wellness check-ins
  • Coordination of medical care
  • Housing navigation support

This service creates a critical bridge between medical recovery and long-term housing stability, ensuring members receive compassionate, structured support during the healing process.

Web pages

• Home - https://myisi.net/
• Housing Assistance - https://myisi.net/services/housing-assistance/