Title
a. Adopt a resolution to Authorize the County of Monterey to participate in the State Rental Assistance Program; and
b. Authorize the Director of Social Services to act on behalf of the County in connection with the State Rental Assistance Program block grant award and to enter into, execute, and deliver any and all documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to be awarded for the State Rental Assistance, and all amendments.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a resolution to Authorize the County of Monterey to participate in the State Rental Assistance Program; and
b. Authorize the Director of Social Services to act on behalf of the County in connection with the State Rental Assistance Program block grant award and to enter into, execute, and deliver any and all documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to be awarded for the State Rental Assistance, and all amendments.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed into law establishing the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program ("ERAP") and authorized the direct allocation of emergency rental assistance funds to states, units of local government, tribal communities, and territories. The County of Monterey was eligible for a direct allocation and received $12,905,387.40 in Emergency Rental Assistance Funds allocated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on January 26, 2021. The ERAP funds are intended to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Newsom then signed SB 91, the COVID 19 Tenant Relief Act, on January 29, 2021. SB 91 extends the state's eviction moratorium and established the State of California's program for administering its share of ERAP funds (the "State Rental Assistance Program," or "SRAP") resources to assist struggling tenants and landlords impacted by the economic damage of COVID-19.
Through the Depart...
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