California Law Requires 40% of Supportive Housing Units for Homeless, Including Individuals Exiting Jails and Hospitals

A recent social media post questioning the veracity of a housing criterion has been confirmed by California state law. The tweet, posted by user HK, stated, > "To qualify as Supportive Housing Multifamily Housing, a project must provide at least 40% of its units for the homeless, or individuals who have spent at least 15 days in 'jails, hospitals, prisons, and institutes of mental disease.'" This specific provision is indeed outlined in California Health and Safety Code § 50675.14, which governs supportive housing projects within the state.

Supportive housing is a critical intervention designed to address homelessness by providing stable, affordable housing alongside voluntary support services. This "Housing First" model, widely recognized for its effectiveness, emphasizes placing individuals directly into housing without preconditions like sobriety or treatment adherence. The goal is to stabilize individuals, enabling them to better engage with services and improve their overall well-being.

Under California's regulations, specifically Section 50675.14 (c)(1), at least 40% of units in supportive housing developments must be allocated to certain vulnerable populations. These include individuals or families experiencing chronic homelessness, homeless youth, and, directly addressing the tweet's query, individuals exiting institutional settings. For those exiting institutions such as jails, hospitals, prisons, and institutes of mental disease, the criteria specify they must have been homeless upon entry to the institution, have a disability, and have resided there for a minimum of 15 days.

This legislative framework aims to break the cycle of homelessness and institutionalization often experienced by individuals with complex needs, including mental health conditions and substance use disorders. By mandating a significant portion of units for these populations, the law facilitates their transition back into the community, reducing reliance on emergency services and carceral systems. Research consistently shows that stable housing leads to improved health outcomes and reduced public service costs for this demographic.