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 se...
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