Homeless and Housing Insecure Program
Program Eligibility to Apply
Currently enrolled in 6 credit units or more OR equivalent non-credit hours.
Program Limitations
Due to limited funding, students are eligible to receive assistance from the Homeless and Housing Insecure Program (HHIP) up to three times over the course of their lifetime. Please note that homeless assistance can only be provided once in a student's lifetime.
Eligibility and availability of services are subject to change at any time due to budget restrictions. We encourage students to utilize this support while it is available, keeping in mind these limitations.
Application Process
Begin the process by submitting a Basic Needs Referral. This step identifies that housing is a barrier and consents to case management, which may include collaboration with other departments to access information or make referrals.
Before proceeding, El Centro will pre-screen applicants to determine eligibility. To qualify, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently enrolled in 6 or more credit units or equivalent non-credit hours.
- Demonstrated unmet financial need and an SAI between 0 and -$1,500.
Program Limitations
- HHIP assistance can only be received up to three times in a student’s lifetime.
- Homeless assistance is available only once in a student’s lifetime.
- Services are subject to availability and funding, which can change at any time.
After submitting the Basic Needs referral, you will receive an email from El Centro within 7-10 business days with additional eligibility requirements. Timely submission of these documents is crucial to avoid delays. Required documents include:
Required Documents
- Basic Needs referral form indicating housing is a barrier and need.
- Three-month budget showing all income and expenses.
- FAFSA or CADAA application if applicable and unmet need exists.
- Non-Credit Students must show proof of income (e.g., bank statements, tax returns) instead of FAFSA or CADAA.
- If unhoused or applying for rental/moving assistance, additional documentation may be required.
Rental Assistance Documentation
For rental assistance, you must provide a rental agreement or lease that includes:
- Names and ages of all individuals living at the address.
- Duration of the rental agreement (must be current).
- Address that matches the information on file with Gavilan College.
- Monthly rent amount.
If no rental agreement exists, you will be asked to provide the landlord’s contact information, and Basic Needs staff will send additional forms to verify this information.
El Centro will verify submitted information or notify you of any missing paperwork. This process ensures eligibility requirements are fully met.
Priority Levels for Application Review
- Unhoused Students: Students identified by the college and/or Basic Needs as not having a permanent place of residence.
Verification: CCC Apply, FAFSA, CADAA, Self-disclosure via the Basic Needs referral form. - Former Foster Youth (FFY): Students identified by the college as FFY.
Verification: CCC Apply, FAFSA, CADAA, Next Up. - Parenting Students: Students who have custody and provide more than 50% of care for at least one minor dependent.
Verification: CCC Apply, FAFSA, CADAA, Income Taxes, Medical Insurance, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal. - Independent Students: Students who are at least 24 years old, married, on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, financially supporting dependent children, an orphan, award of the court, or an emancipated minor.
Verification: CCC Apply, FAFSA, CADAA, Income Taxes, Medical Insurance, CalFresh. - Dependent Students: Students under 24 years of age who receive more than half of their support from a guardian or parent.
Note: Students with access to other support programs (Fresh Success, CalWORKs) may be required to exhaust these resources first.
After application evaluation, you will receive an email from El Centro indicating whether your application has been approved or denied. If denied, you will receive a detailed explanation.
If approved, you will be asked to make an appointment with Ana within one week's time. Failure to meet with Ana will forfeit your award letter.
If your application is approved, your check will be mailed to the address that Gavilan College has on file. If your mailing address is incorrect or needs to be updated, do so through your Self-Service Banner student account.
Once awarded, use available campus and community support services listed below. For unhoused students, you may access our unhoused resource page.
Additonal Community Resources
Resources are organized by sections. Under each section, you will find resources separated by county—Santa Clara and San Benito County. If you live outside of Santa Clara or San Benito County, we recommend calling 411 to locate resources closer to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance using this page or connecting with the resources listed.
San Benito County
- San Benito County Housing Programs
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Rental assistance, emergency housing support, and permanent housing programs. - Health and Human Services of San Benito County
Location: 1111 San Felipe Rd, Suite 206, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-636-4180
Services: Housing assistance, food, health services, and referrals to social programs. - Avenida
Phone: 831-673-9461
Services: Temporary housing, job training, and case management for low-income and homeless individuals. - Hollister Migrant Housing
Location: 3235 Southside Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-7913
Services: Seasonal housing for migrant farmworkers. - Transitional Housing Program
Location: Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Transitional housing options for individuals working toward permanent housing. - Eden Housing
Location: 1101 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-636-5524
Website: EdenHousing.org
Services: Affordable housing developments with various support services.
Santa Clara County
- Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA)
Website: SCCHA.org
Services: Housing applications, rental assistance, and housing vouchers for low-income individuals and families. - St. Joseph's Family Center
Location: 7950 Church St, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-842-6662
Services: Emergency housing assistance, food distribution, and case management. - South County Compassion Center
Phone: 408-763-7120
Services: Temporary housing, resources for homeless individuals, and case management for low-income and homeless individuals. - C.A.R.A.S (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services)
Location: 381-B First Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-847-4978
Services: Offers housing support and community resources for families in crisis. - Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Location: 1000 S. 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-279-2962
Services: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for survivors of domestic violence. - Sacred Heart Community Service
Location: 1381 South First St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-278-2160
Services: Housing assistance, food pantry, and job training programs. - Amigos de Guadalupe
Location: 90 E. Julian St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-918-0300
Services: Support for families, including housing assistance and social services. - PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
Location: 1859 Little Orchard St, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-753-8735
Services: Permanent housing assistance and case management in Santa Clara County.
- C.A.R.A.S (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services)
Location: 381-B First Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-847-4978
Services: Offers housing support and community resources for families in crisis. - Elevate
Website: https://www.elevatecommunitycenter.org/contact
Phone: (408) 357-9538
Services: Legal services, financial education, and resources for families in crisis. - Project Sentinel
Location: 1490 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: (888) 324-7468
Services: Assistance with housing problems such as discrimination, mortgage foreclosure & delinquency, rental issues including repairs, deposits, privacy, dispute resolution, home buyer education, post-purchase education, and reverse mortgages.
San Benito County
- San Benito County Emergency Shelter
Location: 1161 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-256-7242
Services : Short-term emergency shelter with connections to housing programs. - Emmaus House
Location: 829 San Benito St, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 877-778-7978
Services : Emergency shelter and support services for women and children facing domestic violence. - H.O.M.E. Resource Center
Location: 1161 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-265-1852
Services: Supportive housing services, case management, and employment assistance.
Santa Clara County
- Santa Clara County Homeless Helpline
Phone: 408-510-7600
Services: 24/7 support for emergency shelter and resource connections. - National Guard Armory Winter Shelter
Location: 8490 Wren Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-686-1300
Services: Seasonal shelter open from late fall to early spring, providing overnight shelter and meals. - HomeFirst – Boccardo Reception Center
Location: 2011 Little Orchard St, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-294-2100
Services: Emergency shelter, meals, and case management. - Bill Wilson Center
Location: 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: 408-243-0222
Services: Housing, counseling, and support programs for youth ages 11–24. - Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Location: 1000 S. 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-279-2962
Services: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for survivors of domestic violence.
San Benito County
- San Benito Food Bank
Location: 1133 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-637-0340
Services: Food distribution for low-income residents of San Benito County. - Community Food Bank
Location: 1133 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-0340
Services: Food pantry support for low-income residents. - Salvation Army
Location: 910 Buena Vista Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-636-9832
Services: Emergency food assistance and support services. - Youth Alliance
Location: 310 4th St, Suite 101, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-537-3620
Services: Provides food support and resources for youth and families in need.
Santa Clara County
- Gavilan College Food Pantry
Location: El Centro, Gavilan College
Hours: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Services: Snacks, family bags, food distribution, and meal card program. - Sacred Heart Community Service Food Pantry
Location: 1381 South First St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-278-2160
Services: Food pantry and support services for low-income families.
San Benito County
- San Benito Health Foundation
Location: 351 Felice Dr, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-637-5306
Services: Affordable medical, dental, and mental health services. - BACH (Bay Area Community Health)
Locations:- Gavilan College Pop Up
- Gilroy
- San Jose
- CalFresh
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy food. - Medi-Cal
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Low-cost or free health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. - Community Solutions
Location: 341 Tres Pinos Rd, Suite 202 B, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-1094
Services: Mental health support, crisis intervention, and other health resources.
Santa Clara County
- Gardner Health Services
Location: 195 East Virginia St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-457-7100
Services: Comprehensive health services including medical, dental, and behavioral health care.
Appointment Link: Gardner Health Services Homeless Project - BACH (Bay Area Community Health)
Location:- Gavilan College Pop Up
- Gilroy
- San Jose
- CalFresh
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy food. - Medi-Cal
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Low-cost or free health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. - Santa Clara County Mobile Health Clinic
Phone: 408-455-7100
Services: Basic health screenings, vaccinations, and referrals.