Santa Cruz County Renters Eligible For $17M Rent Relief Program

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Struggling renters across Santa Cruz County can now apply for help through a nearly $17 million rent relief program.

The county's announcement comes nearly a month after the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the program, which will help cover the cost rent, utilities and other housing costs, including owed rent and utilities, for eligible people.

Landlords who have an eligible tenant and agree to participate can receive payment for 80 percent of back rent owed, but they must accept the sum as payment in full. Tenants with landlords who don't want to participate can still receive 25 percent of back rent owed, the county said.

This rental relief program is part of a $25 billion federal effort to provide emergency rent support, the county said. Assistance was approved through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

Eligible households will have:

• at least one person who lost their job/lost out on some work as a result of the pandemic, or is at risk of homelessness/housing instability; and
• a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (about $82,000 countywide); and
• not received rental assistance through another program

Households earning 50 percent or less of AMI will be prioritized, the county said.

The application is expected to be posted here by the end of the day on Monday. Applicants can apply and get assistance in multiple languages by calling 833-430-2122 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.