The Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) helps pay rent and other housing-related expenses for families in the City of San Diego with low income, experiencing a housing crisis and at risk of homelessness. The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) operates HIPP for the City of San Diego. HIPP launched September 8, 2022, with funding the San Diego City Council allocated specifically for the creation of this program.
How It Works
Households that need assistance can call 2-1-1 or SDHC’s Homelessness Initiatives hotline 619-578-7768. Community Information Exchange (CIE) partners can submit a direct referral through CIE.
SDHC provides enrolled households with $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 per month toward their rent, depending on the household’s circumstances.
HIPP assists with housing-related expenses, such as past-due rent and past-due utilities, depending on the household’s need. These payments are made directly to the landlord or utility company.
HIPP also provides case management. Case managers work with the household to create a housing stability plan, to identify opportunities to increase household income, to make referrals to community-based resources and any other solutions to stabilize their housing.
Enrolled households may receive assistance for up to 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria
Live in the City of San Diego
Spending more than 40 percent of their gross income on housing in San Diego.
After the rent subsidy begins, the household’s portion of rent cannot exceed 80 percent of household income.
Experiencing a housing crisis, such as facing eviction, and is at risk of homelessness.
No alternative housing options.
Lack the money and support network to resolve their housing crisis.
Household income is at or below 80 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income, currently $104,100 per year for a family of four.
Assets such as bank accounts or retirement savings that total less than $2,000.
Do NOT currently receive ongoing rental assistance from another program.
Immigration status DOES NOT affect eligibility for this program.
Additional criteria apply.
Priority Populations
Seniors aged 55 and older
People of any age with a disability
Families with a child aged 17 and younger
Transition-age youth between the ages of 18 and 24
For updated data “at a glance” about the households HIPP has served, please CLICK HERE.
Seniors Safe at Home
Announced on September 29, 2023, the Seniors Safe at Home program helps pay rent and other housing-related costs for seniors aged 55 and older with low income, experiencing a housing crisis, and at risk of homelessness.
Serving Seniors provides case management services to enrolled households. Case managers work with the household to create a housing stability plan, to identify opportunities to increase household income, to make referrals to community-based resources and any other solutions to stabilize their housing.
This is a collaboration among SDHC, Serving Seniors, The Lucky Duck Foundation, and the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. On June 16, 2025, additional philanthropic funds to support the program were announced. The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation will provide $100,000. The Lucky Duck Foundation is matching that amount and committed another $500,000 to the program for a total program budget of $700,000.
