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Crisis Assistance & Resource Education Support (CARES) Division of Student Affairs

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CARES Emergency Housing Support and Resources

Emergency Housing Services

Short-Term Emergency Housing:

This service offers up to 30 days of housing in the residence halls located at North Village. This program is for students experiencing a brief, unexpected housing crisis, one-time usage during their academic career.

Program Availability:

  • The Emergency Housing Program is a first come, first serve program based on the current occupancy of four beds.
  • Application will be prioritized based on need and the student’s circumstances
  • Waitlist Information:
    • Due to high demand, if no beds are available, the student will be screened by a case manager and added to a waitlist.
    • The student being placed on the waitlist does not guarantee that they will be enrolled in the Emergency Housing Program.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a currently enrolled student at Sacramento State
  • No GPA minimum required
  • Minimum enrollment of six units; priority will be given to full-time students (12+ units)
  • Students with a conduct history will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
  • Students are required to meet with the case manager 1x/week during their stay
  • No additional family members (i.e., romantic partner, spouse, children, grandparents, etc.)
  • No pets - service animals and ESAs are allowed with appropriate documentation
  • Must be able to cohabitate with a roommate
  • The student may be asked to complete additional screening processes for housing and roommate matching based on the discretion of the case manager.
  • The student must follow all University Housing Services policies and procedures while residing in the residence halls at North Village

Application Information:

Please initiate your referral by completing the Emergency Housing Interest Form, and a case manager will contact you via your student email.

  • The student must complete a screening meeting with a case manager
    • Use the "Make An Appointment" button to schedule an appointment and select the EMERGENCY HOUSING appointment type.

Make An Appointment

Rapid Rehousing (RRH)

Description:

Sacramento State's Rapid Rehousing Program utilizes a transitional housing model reserved for students experiencing homelessness and/or significant housing insecurity. The program is designed to offer master leased housing for 3-6 months while students are actively meeting and working with the CARES and contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) case managers to stabilize their housing, academics, and holistic wellness.

Students who enroll in rapid rehousing agree to participate fully in the program requirements including, but not limited to, paying $500.00/month rent, attending weekly scheduled meetings with CARES and/or CBO case managers, and adhering to house rules and roommate agreements in the rapid rehousing shared living environment. House rules and roommate agreements are arranged by the CBO providing the master leased apartments.

Students who enroll in the rapid rehousing program will be offered a 3-month lease. After the initial 3-month lease, students may be offered a month-to-month lease extension for up to an additional 3 months. Lease extensions after the initial 3-months will include a review of the student’s participation in all program requirements. Lease extensions will not be offered to students who are not actively participating in all required program activities.

Program Availability:

  • Bed Availability in the Rapid Rehousing Program is limited. This program is a first come, first serve program based on the current occupancy and available beds
  • When applications open, they will be prioritized based on need and the student’s circumstances

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a currently enrolled student at Sacramento State
  • Enrolled in a minimum of 12 units (undergraduate student) and 6 units (graduate student) at Sacramento State
  • Currently experiencing homelessness (street homelessness, sleeping in a car, couch-surfing, staying somewhere not intended for habitation, etc.) OR immediate risk of homelessness
  • No additional family members (i.e., spouse, children, grandparents, etc.)
  • No pets - service animals and ESAs are allowed with appropriate documentation
  • Must be employed and able to pay monthly rent
  • Must be able to cohabitate with two or more roommates
  • Students are required to meet with the case manager to participate in bi-weekly case management meetings focused on finding stable/permanent housing
  • The student may be asked to complete additional screening processes for housing and roommate matching based on the discretion of the case manager.

Application Information:

Please initiate your referral by completing the Rapid Housing Interest Form, and a case manager will contact you via your student email.

  • The student must complete a screening meeting with a case manager
    • Use the "Make An Appointment" button to schedule an appointment and select the EMERGENCY & RAPID REHOUSING appointment type.

Make An Appointment

Emergency Grants

Emergency Grants are non-qualified scholarships for students experiencing a one-time unexpected financial hardship meeting their basic needs that is negatively affecting their academics. Please note, emergency grants are counted as part of your total financial aid package, and all financial aid rules apply. To be considered for an emergency grant and learn if your situation meets qualifications, please make an appointment with a CARES case manager by logging into your Student Health Patient Portal and selecting the CARES - Emergency Grant type appointment option, or you can call CARES to request assistance with scheduling at (916) 278-5138.

Eviction Avoidance Grant:

Description:

  • This program is designed to help students who are at risk of facing an eviction up to a maximum amount of $1500.00

Move-In Support Grant:

  • This program is designed to help students who are entering a new lease agreement and need assistance with paying the security deposits and first month’s rent up to a maximum amount of $1500.00
  • Please note:
    • If a student's Emergency Grant application is approved, these monies may not disburse until 2-3 weeks after their application has been approved.
    • Emergency grants are non-qualified scholarships and will impact a student's total financial aid and Cost of Attendance budget.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Sacramento State
  • Enrolled in 6 units
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0

Documentation Required:

Students will be required to provide one or more of the following documents:

  • Pay or quit notice
  • Unlawful detainer notice
  • Notice to vacate
  • Other eviction notices from the landlord

Other Documents:

  • Students may be asked to provide one or more of the following documents:
    • Copy of Rent Agreement
      • Must include information on the student’s roommates
      • Must include information on the student’s rent portion
    • FAFSA Aid Package
    • Bank statements from the past two months
    • Paystubs for the past two months

Application Information:

  • Emergency Grants funding will be disbursed after the Census Date of the Fall and Spring semesters
  • The student must complete a screening meeting with a case manager
    • Use the "Make an Appointment" button to schedule an appointment and select EMERGENCY GRANTS

Make An Appointment

Move-In Support Grant:

Description:

  • This program is designed to help students who are entering a new lease agreement and need assistance with paying the security deposits and first month’s rent up to a maximum amount of $1500.00
  • Please note:
    • If a student's Emergency Grant application is approved, these monies may not disburse until 2-3 weeks after their application is approved. Thus, a student might be reimbursed for up-front costs
    • Emergency grants are non-qualified scholarships and will impact a student’s total financial aid and Cost of Attendance budget.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Sacramento State
  • Enrolled in 6 units
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0

Secure Document Submission Tool Link Coming Soon.

Emergency Grant Documentation Criteria Link Coming Soon.

Documentation Required:

  • Students are required to provide documentation of a leasing agreement that clearly states the total cost of the security deposit and the first month’s rent
  • Students may be asked to provide one or more of the following documents:
    • Copy of Rent Agreement
      • Must include information on the student’s roommates
      • Must include information on the student’s rent portion
    • FAFSA Aid Package
    • Bank statements from the past two months
    • Paystubs for the past two months
    • Other relevant receipts

Application Information:

  • Emergency Grants funding will be disbursed after the Census Date of the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • The student must complete a screening meeting with a case manager
    • Use the "Make an Appointment" button to schedule an appointment and select EMERGENCY GRANTS

Make An Appointment

Emergency Travel

Emergency Travel Assistance Program (ETAP)

While supplies last, commuting students in need of travel assistance may receive a $50 gas card. To receive a gas card, you must register for an in-person CalFresh appointment. The appointment takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll receive your gas card immediately after completing the session.

Important:

  • You must register using your Sacramento State (csus.edu) email address.
  • If you use a different email, you will not receive a confirmation and may lose your spot.
  • Gas cards are limited to one card per enrolled student.
  • Appointments are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If all appointments are filled, you will remain on the waitlist and may be contacted if additional spots become available due to cancellations or additional funding.
  • The ETAP program will open on the Fall Census Date (September 28, 2026) and remain open while supplies last.

ETAP Request Form

Southwest Emergency Travel Vouchers

While supplies last, CARES may be able to help students who need to travel because of an unexpected family or medical emergency and do not have the financial resources to do so. A limited number of emergency travel vouchers are available through the support of Southwest Airlines.

You may be eligible for assistance if:

  • You need to travel because of a death in your family.
  • You or a family member is experiencing a serious illness or injury.
  • You need to travel because of another urgent emergency.
  • The cost of travel would make it difficult or impossible for you to go.

Emergency travel assistance is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Southwest vouchers can only be used for destinations served by Southwest Airlines. If a Southwest voucher cannot meet your travel needs, CARES may be able to explore other emergency transportation assistance.

How to Get Help

Contact CARES to discuss your situation with a case manager. CARES staff will assess your circumstances and available resources to determine what assistance may be available.

Make an Appointment

Use the Sac State Patient Portal to schedule an appointment with CARES.

You can also contact CARES:

Phone: (916) 278-5138

Email: cares@csus.edu

In person: The WELL, Room 1000

Rent Subsidy Program

Rent Subsidy Program:

This program is designed to help students who have a history of late rent payments, paying partial rental, or are at risk of facing an eviction due to an unanticipated financial hardship

  • Program Details:
    • Eligible students receive a flat amount of up to $400/month for up to three months of partial rental assistance.
    • The program is first come, first served based on annual budget allocations.
    • The subsidy amount is subject to change annually based on available budget.
    • The payments will be issued and mailed directly to your property manager.
  • Please Note:
    • The enrollment process for this program is extensive and may take 3 to 4 weeks to complete
    • The student’s property manager must agree to participate in the Rent Subsidy Program

Program Availability:

  • This program is not available during Winter Break and Summer Session

Eligibility Requirements:

  • The student must have a history of partial or late rent payments as evidenced by the following:
    • Having been given a three-day notice to pay rent or quit
    • Facing eviction and can provide legal documentation about Court filings related to eviction
  • The student must be experiencing an unanticipated financial hardship and be able to provide supporting documentation
  • Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Sacramento State
  • Enrolled Full-time (undergraduate 12 units; graduate six units)
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Student must be employed
  • Students can only be enrolled in this program one time during their enrollment at CSUS.
  • Must successfully complete an advising session with the Financial Wellness Center

Documentation Requirements:

Students will be asked to provide one or more of the following documents:

  • History of late rent payments
  • Pay or quit notice
  • Unlawful detainer notice
  • Notice to vacate
  • Other eviction notices from the property manager
  • Documentation of unexpected financial hardship, such as paystubs reflecting reduced work hours, termination letter from an employer, paperwork reflecting a reduction in salary, etc.

Other Documents:

  • Copy of Rental/Lease Agreement
    • Must include information on the student’s roommates
    • Must include information on the student’s rent portion
  • FAFSA Aid Package
  • Bank statements from the past two months
  • Paystubs for the past two months
  • W9 form completed by the landlord or property manager
    • This form will be provided to the student after they have been successfully enrolled in the Rapid Rehousing program
    • The student’s landlord or property manager must agree to complete this document for payments to be disbursed and mailed

Application Information:

  • This program will open on the Census Date for each semester
  • The student must complete a screening meeting with a case manager
    • Use the "Make An Appointment" button to schedule an appointment and select RENT SUBSIDY
Make An Appointment

Sac State Housing Resources

Visit the Community Housing Resources on the Basic Needs Page

Support For Students Affected By Fires

CARES has resources to assist students who are experiencing financial hardship related to the SoCal Fires. Please log into your student health portal and make a CARES Emergency Grant type appointment to meet with a case manager. If you need help scheduling, please call us at (916)278-5138.

Make An Appointment

Student Parent College Initiative Program

The College Initiative is a partnership between Lutheran Social Services (LSS), CSUS and Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) serving student parents 18-24 years with dependent children, and who are housing insecure. Services include housing navigation support, rent subsidy, emergency grants, and educational and developmental support for the student parents' children. Please initiate your referral by completing the Student Parent Housing Interest Form and the Housing Navigator will contact you.

Complete the Student Parent Interest Form