Glossary

Housing terms

Your county’s plan to build more housing

This is called your county’s “housing element.” It is how your county plans to create new housing over an 8-year period. The state requires that every city and county plan for enough housing for everyone in the community. This includes affordable housing.

For more information, visit Housing Element Review and Compliance Report (HCD)

Prohousing jurisdiction

A city or county that the state has recognized as "pro-housing." This means it follows state housing law and has adopted policies that make it easier to build housing.

For more information, visit Pro-housing Designation Program (HCD). 

Homelessness terms

Continuum of care

A local group that coordinates all homeless services in your area, by county, cities, and nonprofits. This includes shelters, housing help, and other support. Groups with this name are federally recognized and state-supported.

For more information, visit Continuum of Care Program (HUD Exchange).

Point-in-Time (PIT) Count

Once a year, local groups count how many people don’t have housing in their area. This helps agencies know how many people in the community need housing and services, and progress or setbacks in ending homelessness. Local groups also track the number of beds available. The total year-round beds number includes both permanent and temporary beds.

For more information, visit Point-in-Time Count and Housing Inventory Count (HUD Exchange) and Homeless Data Integration System.

Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP)

A state program that pays local governments and groups for homeless housing and services - with accountability for results. HHAP funds go to continuums of care, counties, and the biggest cities in the state on a formula basis.

For more information, visit: HHAP Fiscal Data Dashboard (HCD) and HHAP HDIS Reported Program Outcomes Tableau (HCD).

Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF)

State funding to help people move from encampments into better, safer living situations. Cities and counties compete to receive it.

For more information, visit: Encampment Resolution Funding Program (ERF).

Behavioral health terms

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court

County court program that helps people with untreated psychosis get treatment and housing from their county. It’s a way to help very ill people get safe and healthy, and stay out of jail and off the streets, with support from family and professionals who are able to ask the court to help. This program is the first of its kind in the nation. 

For more information, visit: CALHHS CARE Act (CHHS).

Conservatorship

When a court appoints an adult to make decisions for someone else who is not able to care for themselves.

For more information, visit: Behavioral Health Conservatorship (DHCS).

Conservatorship reform

In 2023, Governor Newsom signed a law to update eligibility for conservatorship. It now includes people with severe substance use disorder, as well as serious mental illness. It also now considers those so disabled by their illness that they can't manage their own safety or medical care. All counties must adopt this reform by the start of 2026, but they can choose to do so now.

For more information, visit: Behavioral Health Conservatorship (DHCS).

Full-service partnership

A “whatever it takes” program that gives people with serious mental health challenges all the help they need in one place. This includes stable housing, healthcare, help finding a job, and more.

For more information, visit: Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).