DHSed practical guide · Sources checked November 12, 2026
If you are homeless or losing a temporary place to stay, start with Riverside County HomeConnect. A housing navigator can assess your situation and guide you toward housing and support services.
Call 800-498-8847. Explain where you are now and what help you need. The County also publishes an email contact on its official HomeConnect page if that is a more practical way to begin.
Explain your situation clearly
You can start with a simple sentence: “I am in Desert Hot Springs and I do not have a stable place to stay,” or “The place I am staying ends on this date.” Ask what assessment or next contact is appropriate.
Tell the navigator about household members and needs that affect access, such as children, mobility, a service animal or being unable to travel. Give accurate information to the provider. You do not need to post personal circumstances publicly or send them to DHSed.
Understand what the first contact does
HomeConnect is the County's coordinated entry access route. The initial conversation can lead to assessment, guidance or referrals. It does not establish that a bed, housing unit, transport or cash payment is available immediately.
Ask what happens after the assessment, who contacts you next and what to do if the situation changes. A clear follow up plan is useful when different organizations are involved.
Prepare what you can
- A safe phone number or another reliable way to receive a response.
- Your current location and the date an arrangement may end.
- Any existing case or provider reference.
- Information the navigator requests and questions about anything you cannot obtain.
If you do not have a document or permanent address, explain that rather than abandoning the call. Ask what the provider accepts for the process it is using. Do not assume every housing program needs the same paperwork.
Keep other needs in view
Use food assistance and local health care access alongside housing navigation when needed. If you received eviction papers, also use the legal help route promptly. A housing assessment is not a legal response to court papers.
If you cannot identify a suitable local service, call 211 and describe the specific need and location. For an immediate emergency, call 911. Recheck provider directions before traveling because availability and intake arrangements can change.
Your next step
Keep going
- Where to get food in Desert Hot Springs when money is tight
- Rent help in Desert Hot Springs what to try now
- You received an eviction notice in DHS where to get help
- Seeing a doctor in Desert Hot Springs with little or no insurance
Sources and updates
Prepared by DHSed with AI assistance from the linked public sources. Provider details can change. Send a correction.