Housing Resources & Navigation

Students seeking housing support will have the opportunity to meet with basic needs staff for one-on-one support, including assessment for internal programs and tailored resource referrals. We recognize that every student's situation and needs are different, so take a personalized approach to each case. Housing support that we provide and assess eligibility for include community resource referrals, housing navigation, emergency grants, emergency hotel stays, and rapid rehousing program.

 

What does the Emergency Grant Program, also known as Homeless Prevention Funds (HPF) Provide? 

The Basic Needs department’s emergency grant program is designed to provide one-time, bridge funding to students experiencing financial crises and emergencies impacting their basic needs, centering housing emergencies. To ensure consistent assessment and award processing, documentation will be required to demonstrate the emergency and/or expense for which a student is seeking financial support. Common support includes: 

  • One-time Emergency Rental Support (Eviction Prevention)  
  • One-time Move-In Deposit or First Month's Rent  
  • Utility Support (Shut-Off Prevention for Electricity, Gas, or Water)

Eligibility requirements: 

  • A student must be enrolled at San Francisco State University in the current semester as a matriculated student demonstrating progress towards graduation.
  • A student must be experiencing an unexpected financial crisis or emergency associated with housing and food insecurity, that has the potential to derail their educational opportunities.
  • A student must have a current FAFSA or CADAA on file, if eligible, and have available remaining need for the semester.
  • A student must explore other forms of support or resolution beyond Basic Needs emergency funds and demonstrate commitment to stability planning.
  • A student should be in good conduct standing with the University.

How do I request support from the HPF emergency grant? 

Please complete the Care & Support Request Form, select Emergency Grants as the most urgent need or additional services you are requesting, and provide information on the financial need you're seeking support for. 

How long will it take to hear back after I submit my request? 

HPF requests are reviewed in the order received.  Please allow at least 2-4 business days for a response.  

For all grant request outside of the scope of food and housing security, please see the Hope Crisis website for support.   

 

 

What is the Emergency Hotel Stay Program? 

Emergency Hotel Stays are a short-term, bridge resource for students who are experiencing homelessness or fleeing an unsafe housing environment. Emergency Hotel Stays are intended for students who have a transition plan for housing or are able to work towards a resolution to their housing situation throughout the duration of their hotel stay. While assessing eligibility, we ask that students work towards housing solutions and communicate their housing plan with basic needs staff prior to the last day of their hotel stay. Emergency hotel stays can not be offered in all scenarios or based on availability. Students might be referred to community resources for emergency shelter.

Eligibility will be screened by program staff and students must agree to meet program requirements prior to referral.

Eligibility requirements include: 

  • A student must be experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or fleeing an unsafe housing environment.
  • A student must be actively enrolled in the current academic semester.
  • A student must explore alternate housing resources prior to accessing a hotel stay. This may include the option to stay with someone within their community network (friends, family, etc.) or seeking emergency shelter when possible.
  • A student must have a transition plan in place prior to program booking that is within 2 weeks of the booking date as this is a bridge resource. This requirement can be waived in cases where a student is fleeing an unsafe housing environment.

Additional program requirements will be reviewed with students who might be eligible for this program.  

 

 

What is the Rapid Rehousing Program? 

The San Francisco State University Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH) is a student housing stability program designed to serve students who are currently unhoused (actively living on the street, couch surfing, living in their car or other areas unfit for human shelter, unsafe, abusive and/or non-identity affirming environments) or at risk of becoming unhoused in achieving housing security. SFSU Rapid Rehousing provides housing stability navigation, temporary crisis housing, and/or housing solutions to serve students across the housing insecurity spectrum. 

Students enrolled in the program meeting all student, program, and housing requirements will receive a one-time housing subsidy designed with tiered housing payments. This program aims to eliminate and decrease housing insecurity so that students can continue to degree completion. SFSU has partnered with 3rd Street Youth Center and Clinic, an organization with years of experience in helping the San Francisco community, to provide students with this support.

Eligibility will be screened by program staff and students must agree to meet program requirements prior to referral, and maintain this eligibility for continued program enrollment and services, including subsidy payments.

Eligibility requirements include: 

  • Maintain at least half-time enrollment at SFSU for all academic semesters. Students who are enrolled in an upcoming term may also be eligible for this program.
  • Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Achieve academic progress while enrolled in the RRH Program 
  • Students must have and/or seek additional financial resources outside of community partner monetary supports. This can include, but is not limited to: Financial aid grants and loans, scholarships, employment, government benefits, etc.
  • Carry out progress tasks assigned by the RRH Agency and/or assigned Basic Needs Staff.
  • Engage in steps to secure housing with the support of SFSU Basic Needs and RRH Agency.
  • Attend weekly meetings with assigned Basic Needs Staff. Meeting cadence may be adjusted throughout progression in the program.

Additional program requirements and subsidy guidelines will be reviewed with students who might be eligible for this program.