Title
Receive a presentation on the operation and outcomes of the Monterey County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MC ERAP), which provided financial assistance and housing stability services for eligible renters adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a presentation on the operation and outcomes of the Monterey County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MC ERAP), which provided financial assistance and housing stability services for eligible renters adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this presentation is to provide an update on the operation of MC ERAP and the program’s impact since its inception in March 2021. MC ERAP is funded by two rounds of federal and state Emergency Rental Assistance block grants and County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
MC ERAP targeted low-income residents adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who were at risk of becoming homeless. Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) contracted with United Way Monterey County (UWMC) to administer the program and provide eligible residents with financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing, housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to stabilize housing.
DSS received a total of $51,033,465.11 in Emergency Rental Assistance through two rounds of funding from the U.S. Treasury and the State of California and was awarded an additional $1,703,729.51 in federal funding reallocations. The County also contributed an additional $150,000 of ARPA funds to address any eligibility gaps that would potentially impact residents. UWMC coordinated and contracted with a broad range of community partners to disburse direct financial assistance and support housing stability and eviction prevention services. Applications could be initiated and processed through any one of these partner agencies and local jurisdictions, an online application portal, or via the 211 hotline. Direct financial assistance was provided to over seven thousand households with many of them receiving rental and utility assistance. The average direct assistance received was $6,204 per household.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Social Services contracted and worked collaboratively with United Way Monterey County and a network of twenty-two local providers to administer this program.
FINANCING:
This is an informational item only. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Economic Development, Administration, and Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing programs and services in a manner that supports a healthy economy and improve the quality of life for residents in an effective and efficient manner.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Alex Soltero, MA II, x3584
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, DSS Director, x4430
Attachment: United Way MC ERAP Outcomes Report
MC ERAP Presentation