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Counties warn elimination of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing round 4 will leave a gap in housing supports
Summary
County behavioral health leaders urged the Assembly to restore a proposed cut to round 4 of the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, saying a pause would create a six‑to‑12 month gap in rental subsidies and housing for people with serious behavioral health conditions.
County behavioral health directors and advocates told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health that proposed reductions to the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) program would risk displacing thousands of people who rely on short‑term housing and supportive services.
Marlise Perez of the Department of Health Care Services said DHCS had awarded more than $1.1 billion for bridge housing and that as of December 2024 the program had served more than 5,000 individuals since winter 2023. "We anticipate funding over 7,000 beds across California with more than 3,000 of these beds created through that infrastructure funding," she said.
But Elizabeth Castillo of the Department of Finance testified that the governor’s budget proposes eliminating roughly $27.5 million in General Fund and $90 million in Behavioral Health Services Fund planned for round 4 of the program. "The administration is evaluating the significant administrative workload associated with implementation of Proposition 1," she said, and indicated the administration is prioritizing Behavioral Health Services Fund revenues for other statewide initiatives.
County Behavioral Health Directors Association President Diana Luna told the committee the proposed cut risks a six‑ to 12‑month gap between existing program subsidies and new benefits created under BH Connect and the Behavioral Health Services Act. "This gap will result in thousands of county behavioral health clients to lose their housing and most likely increase homelessness among the population of individuals with significant behavioral health conditions," she said.
Why it matters: Bridge housing provides temporary shelter and services for people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness with behavioral health needs. County leaders urged the Legislature to reject the proposed reduction, saying it would destabilize progress made in the program’s early rounds.
Ending: Committee members heard requests from county leaders and provider groups to restore funding for round 4 and to ensure alignment between bridge housing, Medi‑Cal benefits and BHSA housing subsidies so beneficiaries do not fall into gaps as new programs come online.
