Group Home Assistance
Providing Care and Comfort for Vulnerable Adults
The Adult Group Home Assistance program, offered by the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA), helps adults experiencing homelessness who cannot reside in traditional shelters due to long-term medical limitations. The program provides room and board assistance in licensed residential group homes, ensuring participants have access to safe, stable housing and the care they need.
How We Support Participants
Room and Board Coverage: Monthly assistance is available up to $3,000 (Tier 1), $3,500 (Tier 2), or $4,000 (Tier 3) to help cover the cost of living in licensed group homes.
Resident Support: HSA works with individuals and medical providers to ensure placement meets medical needs. Participants must be able to independently schedule and attend medical appointments.
Financial Coordination: Participants must contribute all household income toward the cost of care (minus allowable medical insurance premiums and a personal allowance). This ensures both residents and providers maintain stability.
Who Can Participate
Eligibility is designed for single adults with long-term medical limitations who are unable to live in shelters and require group home placement. Participants must meet the following criteria:
Age and Status: Single adults under 65.
Residency and Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen and a Washoe County resident for more than 24 hours with intent to remain. Individuals who moved to the county specifically for medical care are not eligible.
Medical and Functional Needs: Participants must have a primary medical diagnosis. Mental health or behavioral health conditions may be present as secondary diagnoses, but they cannot be the primary diagnosis.
Financial Responsibility: All income must be reported and applied to the cost of care, with allowable deductions for insurance premiums and a personal allowance. Income cannot exceed $2,901 gross per month (2025), and assets must be below $2,000 or appropriately spent down.
Placement Appropriateness: Must be determined appropriate for group home placement after less-restrictive housing options have been considered.
How to Apply
Individuals seeking assistance must complete the Adult Group Home Assistance Referral Form and participate in an interview.
Required documentation includes:
- Verification of income and assets
- A Face Sheet or Admission Record
- A WCHSA Physician Statement completed within the past 30 days
- Proof of a negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold test
- Willingness to contact licensed Residential Facilities for Groups to secure placement in a shared-room setting