Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)

In 2023, Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services was awarded $58 million through the California Department of Health Care Services' Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program. This transformative investment expands access to safe, interim housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness while living with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD). BHBH bridges the gap between homelessness and permanent housing by providing temporary non-congregate shelter paired with behavioral health.

services, care coordination, and housing navigation. The program creates opportunities for participants to stabilize, engage in treatment, and move toward long-term housing and recovery. With 259 active interim housing beds already serving the community and more than 180 additional beds in development, BHBH continues to expand access to housing and strengthen Sacramento County's behavioral health continuum of care.

Participants receive:

  • Safe, interim housing
  • Case management
  • Connection to Behavioral Health Services
  • Housing navigation  

Need Help Now?

If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis

  • Call or text 988 if you have an urgent mental health crisis, substance use issue, or thoughts of suicide
  • Behavioral Health Crisis: (916) 875-1055
  • CA Relay: 711
  • Go to the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic at: 2130 Stockton Boulevard, Building 300, Sacramento, CA 95817

If you need immediate shelter assistance, Call 2-1-1 for information about emergency housing. 

If there is immediate danger to someone’s life, Call 911. 

Who BHBH Serves?

Individuals

Individuals 18 and older who:

  • Are experiencing literal homelessness
  • Have SMI and/or SUD
  • Agree to participate in BHS services
  • Can manage basic daily living activities
  • Do not require nursing-level medical care
  • Agree to follow shelter rules and guidelines  

 

Families 

Families that meet the individual eligibility criteria and:  

  • Include at least one adult caregiver (18 years or older)  
  • Include children ages 0 to 12 years  
  • Have no more than six household members per family referral
    • Families with four or more in the household will require at least two adult caregivers  

Flyer

What Happens After a Referral is Received?

Once a referral is received, Sacramento County’s Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART) reviews it to determine eligibility and identify the shelter option that best meets the individual's needs. If the referral is eligible, HEART staff will coordinate with the participant, the referring party and/or the provider for appropriate placement at one of the BHBH sites.

If you are submitting a referral on behalf of a client, and would like ongoing information or updates, please submit a Release of Information (ROI) securely to dhs-bhs-bhbhreferral@saccounty.gov. 

Program Locations

Programs are located throughout Sacramento County, including:

  • Central Sacramento
  • South Sacramento
  • Citrus Heights
  • Galt (South County)  

Housing Options

BHBH offers a variety of interim housing models designed to meet different needs, including:

  • Tiny home and modular housing communities
  • Safe Stay communities
  • Hotel-based interim housing
  • Sober Living Environments (SLEs)  

Program Results and Transparency 

Explore our interactive quarterly dashboard to see how the BHBH is making an impact. The dashboard highlights participant demographics, housing outcomes, length of stay, and other key performance measures that demonstrate the program's progress.  

Bridge Housing Quarterly Report