Tulare $48M Grant Round Combats Homelessness and Expands Housing Support

California's Encampment Resolution Fund

California's Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) was created to help cities and counties move people out of encampments and into housing while connecting them to services. The state's first round of ERF awarded approximately $48 million across multiple jurisdictions. Tulare was among the recipients using those dollars to tackle visible encampments and expand shelter capacity. In a later state round, Tulare won an additional $4.8 million for continued encampment-resolution work.

Tulare County's Use of State Funds

Tulare County and the City of Tulare have used state and federal funding to support:

• Interim housing and shelter sites
• Rapid rehousing and rental subsidies
• Motel and hotel vouchers for immediate shelter
• Case management and service coordination
• Tenancy support to keep people stably housed

Program descriptions from the City of Tulare emphasize a coordinated approach, pairing direct housing with services that address the root causes of homelessness such as mental health, substance use, and employment barriers.

HHAP Round 6 Funding

In addition to ERF, Tulare County has received significant support from the California Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program. In HHAP Round 6, Kings County, Tulare County, and the Visalia/Kings Tulare Continuum of Care were awarded more than $3.9 million to support:

• Operation of five regional interim housing sites
• Youth rapid rehousing and rental subsidies
• Motel and hotel vouchers
• Case management and tenancy support
• Service coordination across partner agencies

Because HHAP funds are ongoing, they complement one-time ERF awards and allow local providers to plan multi-year programs.

Why Encampment-Focused Strategies Matter

Encampments have become one of the most visible signs of homelessness in California communities. While simply clearing an encampment without services often pushes people to a different location, ERF's model pairs encampment resolution with actual housing placements and wraparound services. Early state reporting indicates that nearly two-thirds of the $48 million first-round ERF funds had been spent on program activities, with measurable numbers of people moved into housing.

Challenges on the Ground

Tulare's work also illustrates the challenges facing any homeless response:

• Limited interim housing capacity relative to the number of people needing shelter
• A thin affordable housing pipeline for long-term placements
• Workforce shortages among case managers and mental health professionals
• Community concerns about shelter and supportive housing siting

Addressing these challenges requires coordination across city, county, and state agencies, as well as strong nonprofit partners.

The Role of Local Partners

Service providers such as the Community Services Employment Training (CSET) in Tulare County deliver housing support services on the ground, connecting people to employment, training, and case management. Partnerships between local government, nonprofits, healthcare, and law enforcement allow state funds to translate into real placements and services rather than just paper plans.

Looking Ahead

As California continues to pour billions into homelessness response, including new HHAP and capital funding rounds, Tulare County's experience provides a case study in how smaller cities and counties can leverage state funding. For Tulare homeowners and residents, these investments aim to reduce visible encampments, improve neighborhood conditions, and move people from the street into stable housing.

Resources for Residents

Residents seeking help with housing in Tulare County can call 2-1-1 or visit the City of Tulare's Tulare CARES homelessness response page for the latest information on shelters, rental assistance, and service providers. Property owners and community members interested in supporting the effort can connect with local partners including CSET and the Continuum of Care.