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Behavioral health staff brief board on CalAIM housing opportunities and constraints
Summary
County behavioral health staff and a consultant outlined state CalAIM funding streams that prioritize housing interventions and transitional housing; staff described limited local housing options and asked for board direction on pursuing capital and renovation grants.
Calaveras County behavioral health staff presented an informational study session on CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) and related behavioral-health housing funding, outlining options for bridge and transitional housing and the county’s constraints in converting funds to capital investments.
Wendy Ault and Leanne Burns of Calaveras County Behavioral Health, joined by consultant Michelle Melden of Health Management Associates, told the board the state’s new Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) will require counties to prioritize housing interventions beginning July 1, 2026. Melden summarized prior allocations the county has received under Behavioral Health Bridge Housing and explained how funds can be used for short-term placements, case management, deposits, household essentials and landlord incentives.
Melden said the county has limited available housing, leaving the county primarily using month-to-month placements such as the Angel’s Inn and that some allocated funds remain unspent because there is no local housing supply to place clients. She said the state has signaled possible flexibility—subject to formal request—if the county can show renovations or purchases could be completed before grant periods end. The county also expects to consider upcoming BHCIP (behavioral health capital investment) bond-funded opportunities; Melden said an RFP is expected in May.
Supervisors raised concerns about the county owning and operating housing units, long-term maintenance and staffing costs, and community impacts when transitional facilities are sited locally. Supervisors urged staff to explore partnerships with nonprofits and other agencies to avoid creating county-owned facilities that the county would struggle to maintain. Staff said they are evaluating models used by other counties and seeking managed-care plan contracts to sustain services once housing is in place.
No board action was requested at the study session; staff sought board direction and feedback on pursuing capital or renovation funding and on preferred models (county-owned vs. partner-operated).
