Rental assistance
for small California
counties.

Small County Rental
Assistance Program (SC RAP)

Secure housing. Prevent homelessness.

The Small County Rental Assistance Program (SC RAP) allows for access to rental assistance through the Adult Reentry Grant (ARG) Housing Program if you are formerly incarcerated, live in (or are exiting to) a California Small County, and need help with rental arrears or move-in costs to prevent homelessness and secure housing.

Apply Here Program Rules

WHAT TO KNOW

How the program
works.

See Program Rules & FAQs for full details.

About this program

A community‑based rental assistance program funded by the BSCC (Board of State and Community Corrections) through the Adult Reentry Grant (ARG) Cohort 4, operated by BIGA IMPACT across the Small Counties in California.

Our goal

To prevent homelessness and displacement for people returning from California state prison.

Housing First

No sobriety or “program readiness” requirements. We do not ask about immigration/citizenship status; alternative IDs are accepted.

Funding is limited

We prioritize households at highest risk of homelessness or housing loss. Not all eligible applicants will be served immediately.

What we can pay

Back rent/arrears; short bridge future rent; security deposits; required application fees; short hotel/motel bridge; basic set‑up items; landlord incentives; and host stipends (capped at FMR).

Languages & accessibility

We provide free language assistance and reasonable accommodations upon request. Tell us your preferred language and any accessibility needs when you apply.

The opinions, findings, and conclusions on this site are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the BSCC.

WHAT TO DO

Four steps to
get help.

Review key information

We assist people 18+ who were formerly incarcerated in a California state prison.

You must live in or be exiting to a Small County (Table 5):

Alpine
Amador
Butte
Calaveras
Colusa
Del Norte
El Dorado
Glenn
Humboldt
Imperial
Inyo
Kings
Lake
Lassen
Madera
Mariposa
Mendocino
Modoc
Mono
Napa
Nevada
Plumas
San Benito
Shasta
Sierra
Siskiyou
Sutter
Tehama
Trinity
Tuolumne
Yolo
Yuba

We collect monthly income to generate an AMI advisory for screening/prioritization. There is no statewide income cap under ARG.

Check if you can apply

You are likely eligible to apply if:

You are 18+ and formerly incarcerated in a CA state prison (any release date).
You live in or are exiting to one of the Small Counties listed above.
You have a current housing need (arrears/back rent, deposit/move‑in costs, or short hotel bridge).
You can provide basic documentation (or self‑attest with staff help) so we can verify payee and amounts owed.

Local policies (if published) may set frequency/amount caps; otherwise assistance is determined case‑by‑case and subject to available funds.

Apply online

Ready? Submit your application online. If you need help applying, contact us or a community partner.

Apply For Rental Assistance

Facing eviction

If you receive court papers (Unlawful Detainer), act immediately. Contact 211, your County Superior Court Self‑Help Center, or find legal aid at LawHelpCA.org.