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 has received a conditional award in the Round 3 BHBH grant funding in the amount of $15 million, also expected to end in 2027.
Eligible Population?
Adults with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders, that are experiencing homelessness. Additionally, families qualify if at least 1 caregiver meets eligibility.
Prioritization for special populations of homelessness:
- Justice Involved,
- Elderly 55+,
- Former Foster Youth,
- Black/African American,
- Fleeing Domestic Violence,
- LGBTQ,
- 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.
BHBH Projects:
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. Currently, 80 BHS dedicated beds are available:
- East Parkway Campus: 56 beds
- Florin Safe Stay Campus: 24 beds
An additional 20 BHS Safe Stay beds are under construction at the Stockton Safe Stay campus.
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.
Who Can Make Referrals to BHBH?
Anyone can make a referral.
How Can YOU Refer to BHBH?
- Complete a HEART Referral Form and specify "BHBH referral" in the "reasons for referral" section at the bottom.
- Call HEART at (916) 875-1720
BHBH Monthly Data Reporting
Coming Soon!
Images:
Top right, Safe Stay located at East Parkway.
Bottom left, Safe Stay located at East Parkway. All Safe Stays welcome pets!
