Housing Transition Navigation Services (HTNS)

Here's a comprehensive overview of CalAIM's Housing Transition Navigation Services (HTNS) and the broader housing-related programs:

CalAIM Housing Transition Navigation Services (HTNS)

What Is It?

HTNS is one of three housing-related Community Supports under CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal), funded through Medi-Cal for eligible members. These three housing services — Housing Transition Navigation Services, Housing Deposits, and Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services — form a bundle known as the "housing trio," offered in every county across the state. California Health Care Foundation

The "Housing Trio" — Three Linked Programs

1. Housing Transition Navigation Services (HTNS) Housing Transition Navigation is offered when a qualified or eligible member is unsheltered and in search of housing. It helps people find and move into housing. These services are available once in an individual's life and must not exceed a duration of six months.

2. Housing Deposits Housing Deposits are available once per demonstration period and can only be approved one additional time with documentation showing what conditions have changed. As of July 1, 2025, DHCS removed coverage of first and last month's rent to avoid duplication with Transitional Rent — members who don't meet Transitional Rent criteria will only receive the security deposit if eligible.

3. Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services (HTSS) Housing Tenancy is appropriate when a member is already housed, as this service helps members remain housed.

New in 2025–2026: Transitional Rent

Beginning in January 2026, a new housing support — Transitional Rent — became available for people with serious chronic health conditions, physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, or specialty behavioral health needs, who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and transitioning out of certain settings like long-term care facilities or carceral settings. Transitional Rent can provide up to six months of rental assistance. Justice in Aging

Who Is Eligible?

Must be a Medi-Cal managed care enrollee

Must meet the HUD definition of homeless or be at risk of homelessness. "At risk of homelessness" eligibility is available for HTNS and HTSS, but not for Housing Deposits. California Health Care Foundation

HTNS and HTSS are also available to transition-age youth who have significant barriers to housing. California Health Care Foundation

What Services Are Included?

Programs may include training on the use of public transportation, development of conflict resolution skills, daily living skills, and community participation, as well as assistance with selecting and moving into a new residence, locating and choosing housemates, settling landlord disputes, managing personal finances, and dealing with governmental agencies. Calhps

How to Access Services

MCPs must accept referrals for Community Support services from members and their families, guardians, and caregivers. Advocates can call the MCP to learn more about Community Supports and how to request authorization. Justice in Aging

The process generally involves:

Identify the member's Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (MCP)

Submit a referral to the MCP (along with a Treatment Authorization Request / TAR)

Provider develops a housing support plan with the member

Services are authorized and delivered

Scale & Reach

Since launch, Community Supports have served over 239,000 Medi-Cal members. Over 30,000 members have used Housing Transition Navigation Services, over 14,000 have used Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services, and 2,000 have used Housing Deposits. CA

In a 2024 survey, 84% of specialist homeless services providers contracted with managed care plans reported being more able to manage the comprehensive needs of the people they serve under CalAIM, and 78% reported growing the number of people they serve. California Health Care Foundation

Key Resource Links

DHCS Community Supports Policy Guide: dhcs.ca.gov

MCP Elections by County (to check what's available in your area): DHCS matrix

CHCF Housing Trio Overview: chcf.org

Would you like more detail on a specific aspect — such as how to become a contracted HTNS provider, billing/coding, eligibility criteria for a specific population, or resources for a specific county?

You said: benefits for housing navigation services

benefits for housing navigation services

10:53 AM

Claude responded: Here's a comprehensive overview of the benefits covered under CalAIM Housing Transition Navigation Services (HTNS):

Here's a comprehensive overview of the benefits covered under CalAIM Housing Transition Navigation Services (HTNS):

Benefits Covered Under CalAIM Housing Transition Navigation Services

🏠 Core Navigation & Search Activities

Housing search assistance — help identifying available and appropriate housing units

Landlord outreach and negotiation — communicating with landlords on the member's behalf

Application assistance — completing housing applications, gathering required documents

Accompanying members to view units and meet landlords

Assessing housing options for safety, accessibility, and affordability fit

📋 Housing Support Plan Development

Every member receives an individualized housing support plan that outlines:

Current housing situation and barriers

Target housing type and timeline

Services needed to achieve and maintain housing

Connection to other Medi-Cal and community-based services

💼 Benefits Navigation & Enrollment

Helping members access CalFresh, SSI/SSP, GA/GR, and other income supports

Connecting to rental subsidy programs (Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher, VASH, etc.)

Navigating Transitional Rent (new as of Jan 2026 — up to 6 months rental assistance)

Coordinating with Housing Deposits Community Support for move-in costs

🤝 Systems Navigation & Coordination

Connecting members to Enhanced Care Management (ECM) for complex care coordination

Coordination with behavioral health, substance use, and physical health providers

Assistance resolving issues with government agencies (DMV, Social Security, county benefits)

Coordination with shelter and interim housing providers while housing is secured

🛠️ Life Skills & Stabilization Support

Daily living skills training (budgeting, cooking, household management)

Public transportation training and access

Conflict resolution skills for landlord/neighbor relationships

Assistance with housemate selection when applicable

💵 Housing Deposits (Companion Benefit)

When paired with the Housing Deposits Community Support, members can receive:

Security deposit (up to one month's rent per CA law)

Utility setup fees and deposits

Basic household setup items (furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies)

⚠️ As of July 1, 2025: First and last month's rent was removed from Housing Deposits to avoid duplication with the new Transitional Rent benefit.

⏱️ Duration & Frequency

ParameterDetailMaximum duration6 months per episodeLifetime limitOnce per lifetime (HTNS)Available statewideYes — all 58 countiesWho qualifiesMedi-Cal members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

🔗 What HTNS Does NOT Cover

Rent payments (covered by Transitional Rent instead)

Room and board

Clinical/medical services (covered under regular Medi-Cal)

Services that duplicate other funded programs (must supplement, not supplant)

How It Connects to the Full Housing Continuum

HTNS (find housing) → Housing Deposits (move in) → HTSS (stay housed) → Transitional Rent (pay rent)