County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program to receive $13.8 million in additional state funding

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Sonoma County Community Development Commission to accept up to $13,787,577.78 of State Block Grant funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The funds will be used to provide additional relief to households unable to pay rent or utilities through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

In approving this item, the emergency rental assistance program must obligate $4.1 million by Oct. 31, 2021, in order to meet the state’s requirements for full funding. It must obligate the remaining funds by Sept. 30, 2025.  

This is the second round of funding provided by the state for the rental assistance program. As of Sept. 30, $14,567,972.00 had been obligated to tenants and landlords, approximately 99.1 percent of the first round of federal money allocated to Sonoma County. More than 1,000 families have been provided assistance while another 2,052 applications are still being reviewed for approval. The average amount of rent relief per application is $9,626.69.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available to renters who are eligible, and individuals who have submitted a completed application, are protected from being evicted for non-payment of rent even with the conclusion of eviction moratorium. Landlords must also apply for rental assistance on behalf of the tenant before they can evict an individual for failure to pay. Funds can be applied by both tenants and landlords and cover 100% of past due and upcoming rent for a total of 18 months.

Individuals who are being evicted while an application is being processed should contact Sonoma County Legal Aid at (707) 542-1290 or by visiting https://legalaidsc.org/contact/.  

Individuals who need help applying for the funds can receive assistance in English or Spanish from one of the community-based organizations listed on SoCoEmergency.org. Individuals may apply online or by mail. All applicants will be notified if they have or have not been selected through email, or via mail if an application was mailed in.

The application process is open and available to all individuals living in Sonoma County, regardless of immigration status. 

For more information please visit SoCoEmergency.org/erap.