San Marcos Renters Receive Financial Help Due to COVID-19 Impact

Renters in San Marcos whose income has suffered due to COVID-19 restrictions may now get temporary financial help from a new joint program for short-term rental assistance launched by two prominent North County non-profits.

TrueCare™, a long-time healthcare provider in North San Diego and Riverside counties, and Interfaith Community Services, an established agency offering housing, counseling and other basic services to people in crisis, are teaming up to keep renters in their houses or apartments, away from homeless shelters or the streets.

To qualify for rental assistance, applicants must show an inability to pay their rent by documenting a loss of income and lack of assets because of COVID.

To make the process to apply for assistance and services streamlined and convenient for the San Marcos community, an Interfaith Community Services Case Manager is working directly in the TrueCare San Marcos Resource Center to better assist residents.

In addition to offering short-term rental assistance to TrueCare patients and the San Marcos community at large, Interfaith will donate emergency food and hygiene products, assist with money to buy eye glasses and medications, help pay utility bills and render other vital services for those affected by COVID-19. In addition, Interfaith will staff a small food pantry for qualified San Marcos residents and TrueCare patients.

Some of those affected by COVID-19 restrictions are small business owners like Anena Marchand who is also a mother of two. The pandemic impacted her heavy equipment business and life at home. Her work took a backseat as she cared for her elderly father and two children, who were no longer attending school in person. Now in 2021 Marchand was struggling to make ends meet. Rent was still due each month and with the unknown of how she was going to pay, she found that TrueCare offered assistance through Interfaith Community Services.

“It means everything in this time of need. I’m so touched and so grateful to get the help. This means so much to me and my family,” Marchand said. “It would be a nightmare for me if I ended up on the streets with my kids or in a very, very bad situation. I can’t thank your facility and your organization enough.” This service gave her hope and security knowing her family would still be able to have a place to call home.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 11 million renter and homeowner households were significantly overdue on their regular housing payments at the end of 2020, placing them at heightened risk of losing their homes to foreclosure or eviction over the coming months.

“COVID-19 hit our communities hard. People are still reeling from job loss and trying to make ends meet,” said Briana Cardoza, TrueCare’s Chief Business Development Officer. “This partnership allows us to follow through with our mission offering quality comprehensive care and getting people the help they need to live healthier lives.”

Interfaith senior management is also proud of the recent partnership. “Partnering with TrueCare is allowing us to directly reach the San Marcos community. Interfaith Community Services aims to empower and stabilize people in need,” said Filipa Rios, Interfaith Community Services Chief Program Officer. “Collaborating with partners like TrueCare is key, because together we are helping people and bettering lives.”

Interfaith is helping residents at TrueCare’s San Marcos Resource Center from Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. San Marcos residents do not need to be TrueCare patients to be eligible for this valuable service. For more information or to determine eligibility, San Marcos residents should call (760) 736-6734.