Emergency Rental Assistance Program for PLEASANTON renters affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”) has the objective of mitigating potential homelessness and displacement of existing Pleasanton residents who are experiencing a decrease in household income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus, unable to pay their rent, by providing a grant to assist eligible tenants pay for delinquent rent.
ERAP would provide a grant to assist eligible tenants unable to pay rent due to a loss of income related to the COVID- 19 public health emergency. Program assistance would pay for delinquent rent only, and payment would be paid directly to the landlords.
Be current residents of Pleasanton with a valid residential lease for an apartment, house, duplex, condominium, townhouse, mobilehome, a site within a mobilehome park where the applicant’s mobilehome is situated, or both a mobilehome and a site for the mobilehome from the mobilehome park management with a third-party landlord for at least 6 continuous months;
Have a household income not exceeding 80% Area Median Income (AMI) established for Alameda County, adjusted for household size (see below), prior to the countywide Shelter In Place order issued on March 16, 2020 (“pre-COVID period”);
Be in good standing with payment and terms of their lease prior to the countywide Shelter In Place order issued on March 16, 2020, as verified by landlord; and
Show documentation of loss of income of at least 20 percent due to COVID-19 as a result of employment and/or school/childcare closures and/or inability to work due to COVID-19, illness or caring for a family member infected by the disease.
2020 Maximum Income Limits
Households
1 Person
2 Person
3 Person
4 Person
5 Person
6 Person
7 Person
8 Person
80% AMI
$73,100
$83,550
$94,000
$104,400
$112,800
$121.150
$129,500
$137.850
Interested applicants must submit the following documentation:
Current Residential Lease Agreement in Pleasanton;
Verification of household income of 80% AMI or below pre-COVID period of January 1, 2020 through March 15, 2020 and during Shelter in Place order period beginning March 16, 2020, specifically January through March 2020 paystubs and the last three months of paystubsat the time of application;
Landlord verification that tenant’s rent was current prior to the March 16 th Shelter in Place order issued countywide; and
Verification of COVID-19 financial impact that has reduced a household income by at least 20 percent, including but not limited to:
Termination Notice from employer
Unemployment Award letter
Payroll check or Pay stubs reflecting reduction in salary
Bank Statements
INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Applicants would be ineligible to participate in the program if:
They are immediate relatives, through blood or marriage (i.e. child, parent, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle) of their landlord.
They are renting a room in a single-family/townhome residence (i.e. subletting situation), and there is no valid Residential Lease.
Applicants already participating in the City’s Rapid Re-Housing program.
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
The maximum grant assistance is $2,500 per household to pay for up to one month of delinquent rent and late fees. Funding awarded may not exceed $2,500 and will represent the lesser of the tenant’s actual monthly rent and late fees or the applicable Maximum Affordability Rent for households at 80% AMI, adjusted for unit size (i.e. number of bedrooms) including late fees. Applicants residing in 3-bedroom units will only receive the maximum $2,500 assistance, not the affordable rent below.
For example:
Tenant has been unable to pay two month’s rent for one bedroom apartment for which rent is $1,500 (for a total rent arrears of $3,000). Tenant has also been assessed a $250 late fee for each of the two months (for cumulative late fees of $500). Qualified tenant is eligible for $1,750 payment to tenant’s landlord (the $1,500 one month’s rent + $250 late fee for one month). No additional grant funds will be provided for the second month’s rent or second month’s late fees, as program only provides assistance for up to one month.
Tenant has been unable to pay two month’s rent for a two-bedroom apartment for which rent is $2,500 per month (for a total rent arrears of $5,000) and also a late for of $250 for each of the two months (for cumulative late fees of $500). Qualified tenant is eligible for $2,500 payment to tenant’s landlord (the $2,500 one month’s rent). The program cannot assist with the second month’s rent, nor the late fees, as the $2,500 maximum grant has been reached.
2020 Housing Affordability Maximum Rent
Unit Size*
Studio
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
3 Bedroom
Maximum Affordable Rent 80% AMI
$1,828
$2,089
$2,350
$2,820
*Rent calculations are based on the following household size assumptions: Studio= 1 person; 1 BR= 2 persons; 2 BR= 3 persons; and 3 BR= 5 persons
FUNDING PROCESS
Eligible applicants will be funded on a first come, first serve basis.
QUESTIONS / COMMENTs
Have a question? Contact us at (925) 208-0660, or by email renthelp@cityservecares.org.
