Great News!  The COVID rental relief website is  NOW ONLINE!

Applications for California’s rent relief program — also known as rent assistance — opens TODAY Monday, March 15th. The pool includes $2.6 billion in federal funds and is likely to increase significantly because of the stimulus plan signed last week.

Do I qualify for rent relief?'

The program is targeted at low-income renters and their landlords.

To be eligible for aid, tenants must make less than 80% of the local median income.

The tenants must also have at least one person in the household who has lost a job or income during the pandemic and can show they are at risk of homelessness. A past-due rent or utility bill can be used to show the risk of homelessness.

Are undocumented tenants eligible?

Yes. The federal government never made citizenship status a requirement to access rent relief.

How do I apply?

Starting on Monday, most landlords and tenants who qualify will be able to apply through the state’s website, Housing Is Key. If the application is approved and the tenant meets income requirements, 80% of the owed back rent will be paid directly to the landlord.

Tenants and landlords each have a role to play. There are parts of the application that will need to be filled out by both parties, or the application won’t go forward.

If a tenant applies first, the landlord will be notified and invited to participate. If a landlord applies first, the state will get in touch with the tenant to gather additional information, like their income.

MEDIAN INCOME FOR SONOMA COUNTY: