211 CALIFORNIA
211s Connecting Californians to Trusted Information and Essential Resources
When disasters strike, people need reliable information and clear pathways to help. 211 California's Network connects individuals and families to critical resources before, during, and after emergencies.
Through a statewide network of local 211 organizations, trained specialists help people navigate available services including shelter, food, health services, financial assistance, housing support, and recovery resources.
Across California, 211 serves as a trusted partner to communities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations working together to support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Information & Resource Navigation
211 specialists provide real-time information and referrals to services such as:
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Emergency shelters
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Food and essential supplies
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Disaster financial assistance
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Housing and recovery resources
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Health and mental health services
Support for Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Populations
211 helps ensure older adults, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations can access the support they need during emergencies.
Real-Time Community Needs Insight
Through millions of interactions each year, 211 gathers valuable insight into emerging community needs, helping partners identify service gaps and respond more effectively.
California 211 Services
211 Disaster Services
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Multilingual Disaster & Recovery communications, public information & assistance
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Continuous disaster resource updates
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Disaster housing public/private partnerships
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Financial Assistance distribution
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Recovery Intake & Navigation
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Central Community Needs Assessment
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Shared client tracking/referral systems
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Disaster Response & Insights
California’s 2-1-1 network plays a critical role in connecting individuals and families to real-time, reliable information during emergencies. From wildfires to public health crises, 2-1-1 serves as a trusted, centralized access point for essential resources—reducing confusion, improving coordination, and ensuring people get the help they need when it matters most.
Explore recent examples of 2-1-1’s impact in disaster response and recovery below.
Emergency Housing Response – Bell Gardens Incident
Following a January 2026 explosion that displaced multiple households in Bell Gardens, 211 LA, in partnership with Airbnb.org, rapidly coordinated emergency housing support for affected residents. Through this partnership, displaced individuals and families were connected to free, temporary accommodations, along with ongoing resource navigation and care coordination. This response highlights the critical role of 2-1-1 in mobilizing trusted partnerships to deliver timely, scalable housing solutions during local emergencies. Read more: Here
Filling the Gaps: Enhancing 211’s Role in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery – A Case Study of the Park Fire
The 2024 Park Fire in Northern California became one of the most destructive wildfires in state history, displacing thousands and severely impacting communities across Butte and Tehama counties. Without a federal disaster declaration, access to traditional recovery resources was limited—placing greater demand on local systems.
During this time, 2-1-1 served as a critical frontline resource, providing 24/7 real-time information, resource navigation, and support. Learn more: Park Fire Case Study
