Application period for Renters & Landlords Impacted by COVID-19 ends April 30
STOCKTON, Calif. – The application period for the City of Stockton Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now open.
The purpose of the program is to help stabilize households and prevent evictions. The program will pay past due rent and utilities for low income renters who have experienced a education in household income or other financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A link to the application will be available at www.stocktonca.gov/RentHelp. Applications for both renters and landlords must be submitted with all required documentation by 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2021. Help for those who need assistance with completing the application and those who do not have computer access will be available in multiple languages through the services of El Concilio, the City’s administrator of the program.
Rent & Utilities Assistance
Eligible applicants can receive assistance for past rent and utilities owed from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and may qualify to have a portion of rent paid for April, May, and June 2021, if funding is available. The total amount available will depend on household need and participation. Renters and landlords are encouraged to work together, as the maximum amount of assistance is available when both the landlord and tenant participate.
Landlords and tenants that both complete applications and submit documentation are eligible for up to 80% in rental assistance arrears and 100% of utility arrears. Renters applying without landlord participation are eligible for up to 25% in rental assistance and 100% of utility arrears. Qualifying household utilities are gas, electricity, water, sewer, and garbage services. Funding for eligible rent and utilities will be provided directly to the landlord and utility service provider(s).
Qualifying Income Level
Households with a total gross income of 80% or below the area median income (AMI) are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to households with a gross income of 50% or below the AMI. Renters must submit documentation that one or more individuals qualifies for unemployment, have experienced a reduction in household income, or incurred significant costs or financial hardship due to COVID-19, resulting in a demonstrated risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Assistance will be provided through the City of Stockton Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for households within the city limits of Stockton. For additional program details, eligibility criteria, required documentation, and a link to the application, please visit www.stocktonca.gov/RentHelp, call El Concilio at (209) 644-2690, or send an email to [email protected].
The City of Stockton has received a combined total of $20.3 million from the U.S. Treasury for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and the California COVID19 Tenant Relief Act (CTRA). All state funds must be used by August 1, 2021, and all federal funds by December 31, 2021.
The number of grants distributed will be determined by available funding for this program.