Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)

What is BHBH?

BHBH is a grant funded program awarded to Sacramento County by the State of California, Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS). It provides short- and mid-term sheltering options to help individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD) transition into long-term housing.

Sacramento County received $43 million in the Round 1 BHBH grant through fiscal year 2026-2027. Sacramento County was also awarded Round 3 BHBH grant funding in the amount of $15 million, also through fiscal year 2026-2027.

Eligible Population?

Adults with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders, that are experiencing chronic homelessness. Additionally, families qualify if at least 1 caregiver meets eligibility.

Minimum Eligibility (must meet all factors):

Chronic Unsheltered homelessness
Client does NOT require nursing level medical needs
Client agrees to participate in behavioral health treatment Image: Grow Florin: 72 beds, population: 55 and older
Client can perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)**

**Client is independent with mobility, hygiene, housekeeping, laundry, medications and basic meals.

Prioritization for special populations of chronic homelessness:

Justice Involved,
Elderly 55+,
Former Foster Youth,
Fleeing Domestic Violence,
Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act participants*.

*The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) program creates a court process for creating a CARE plan for people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. The CARE Act requires each county to create special courts. The judges in these courts have the authority to order treatment plans for people with untreated schizophrenia. The CARE Act is intended to help people who are often homeless or incarcerated without treatment.

Bridge Housing Eligibility and Prioritization System (BHEPS) and Referral Information

This form is used to refer individuals to Sacramento County's Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, which provides temporary housing and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges.

A BHBH clinician will review referrals and may reach out to the referring party for more information to determine eligibility for a BHBH Interim Shelter bed based on the score and other criteria. The team will then communicate the decision. Submitting this referral form does not guarantee a BHBH bed or placement on the waitlist if eligibility criteria are not met.

Please be aware that each shelter has its own set of program rules. These may include but not limited to prohibitions on illicit substances, availability of amnesty lockers, and requirements for background checks.

This screener is for the BHBH program only. For immediate shelter openings in other areas at other community shelters, contact Sacramento 211 by dialing 2-1-1.

Please click the link below to access the BHEPS:

Bridge Housing Eligibility and Prioritization System (BHEPS)

Completed BHEPS can be sent via SECURE email to: dhs-bhs-bhbhreferral@saccounty.gov

Note: The Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART) provides outreach and engagement providing mental health and substance use screening, linkage and assessments in homeless shelters and encampments. Call (916) 875-1720 or securely submit referrals to:

bhs-heartreferrals@saccounty.gov - Click here to access HEART Referral form.

Who Can Make Referrals to BHBH?

Anyone can make a referral.

BHBH Projects:

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) has invested BHBH funds to operate 100 Safe Stay beds across 3 campuses, managed by the Department Homeless Services and Housing (DHSH) with supportive services provided by BHS:

East Parkway Campus: 56 beds
Florin Safe Stay Campus: 24 beds
Stockton Safe Stay Campus: 20 beds

BHBH Program is collaborating with community-based organizations in Sacramento County to develop creative transitional housing solutions. This includes building, purchasing, and/or renovating properties to add at least 147 more beds. Of these, 30 beds will support sober living residents on their recovery journey, while the other 117 will serve special populations that are over-represented and under-served in the homelessness population.

Image: Renewed Hope: 15 beds, population: justice involved

Project:		Program Plan:
Sober Living Environments  Bed Count: 30  Locations: 3 sites- Sacramento Status: Active		BHS is contracting with Bridges Professional Treatment Services to renovate and operate 30 dedicated sober living beds at 3 locations.
Grow Florin  Bed Count: 72   Location: South Sacramento    Status: Go Live: Spring of 2025		BHS is contracting with Hope Cooperative for construction and operations of 72 new beds. Priority Population: 55 years or older.
Renewed Hope  Bed Count: 15   Location: South Sacramento Status: Active		BHS is contracting with Hope Cooperative and will partially fund the purchase and operations of a recently renovated motel. Priority Population: justice-involved individuals who are or will be literally homeless upon release.
Auburn Oaks  Bed Count: 30   Location: Citrus Heights Status: Active		BHS is contracting with Hope Cooperative and partially funded the purchase and operations of an apartment complex. Priority Population: 55 years or older.
Safe Stays  Dedicated sleeping cabins for BHS clients and their pets.
East Parkway  Bed Count: 56  Location: East Parkway  Status: Active	Florin Rd.  Bed Count: 24  Location: Florin Rd.  Status: Active	Stockton Blvd.  Bed Count: 20  Location: Stockton Blvd.  Status: Active	Watt Ave. More beds in development: Information coming soon.