National City Housing Authority Director Carlos Aguirre presented updated federal, state and local COVID-19 tenant protections and rental assistance information at the city council meeting on Tuesday.
At the national level, Aguirre said the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention placed a nationwide freeze on evictions of qualified tenants through March 3. He also said additional legislation might extend that date further, pending other COVID-19 protections packages being approved at the federal level.
“Another piece of important Federal funding legislation,” he said, is H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 that provides $49 million for rent relief to the county of San Diego.
At the state level, California Senate Bill 91 extends a moratorium on evictions through June 30 if unpaid rent is due to COVID-19 related financial distress.
Additionally, the California State Department of Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency awarded the county of San Diego $52.5 million for rent relief.
“In total, that’s over $100 million in rent relief that the county of San Diego has and will be using in unincorporated areas and all 15 jurisdictions not covered by the city of San Diego and city of Chula Vista since they were appropriated their own allotment of funds,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre later explained 65% of the state funds must be used by June 1, with all the funds exhausted by Aug. 1. Also, 65% of the federal funds must be used by Sept. 30 with all the monies used by Dec. 31.
“The funds will be prioritized for payment in arrears with limited funding available for future rent, so these funds are really intended to get folks caught up,” Aguirre said.
County Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds will be disbursed by priority level based on life circumstances such as level of income, employment status and other factors.
Aguirre said details have not been ironed out with the County but single-family homes will likely receive some priority and landlords will have to forgive 20% of the rent with the funding covering the remaining 80%.
“If the landlord refuses to participate then the program is limited to paying for 25% of the unpaid rent so there really is financial incentive for landlords to participate,” Aguirre said.
He also noted key points of the program such as not requiring documentation that potentially impacts disadvantaged populations such as driver’s licenses, formal leases or documentation of citizenship.
Residents can apply for the state and county rental assistance over the phone by calling the county of San Diego at 2-1-1.
The city of National City also has a Rental and Utility Assistance program available to assist low-income households who have suffered a loss of income or are unable to pay their past due rent and utilities because of COVID-19. There is no cap on rental assistance and coverage can be backdated to March, 2020 to cover rent owed in arrears.
The same program will cover utility assistance for water, gas, electric, phone and internet bills that are past due.
Applications for the National City Rental and Utility Assistance program are available at the
National City Family Resource center, at 304 West 18th St..
Applications can also be downloaded at www.southbaycommunityservices.org and submitted by email to utilityassistance@csbcs.org.
More information can be found on all the programs at www.nationacityca.gov/COVID19 and Aguirre said the city will be updating that site regularly as new details emerge.
