WOODLAND, CA (MPG) -  Yolo County has issued part of their CARES Act funding for a new Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program in the unincorporated and incorporated areas of Yolo County to support residents who are at greatest risk of displacement due to non-payment of rent related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to offset corresponding lost revenue that landlords need to provide housing services.

The COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program provides a one-time rent and utilities grant to low-income tenants who have been unable to pay full rent because they experienced, and can demonstrate, hardship resulting from COVID-19. Eligible hardships include: loss of or reduction in employment and wages, increased medical or childcare costs, or loss of childcare.

The types of assistance available are:

• rent assistance 
• security deposits

·         utility costs (electricity, gas, water/sewer)* 

·         utility deposits*

*only available with rent or security deposit assistance

Yolo County Housing will be administering the program on behalf of Yolo County and funds will be awarded to rental households, on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a complete application. Once funds run out, the program will close. Eligible tenants may submit applications beginning October 16, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at: www.ych.ca.gov/COVID-19/2020.php.

In order to be eligible for grant funding, tenant households must be income eligible as follows:

·         Very low-income tenants (up to 60% area median income or AMI) OR

·         Low income (up to 80% AMI) with high rent burden (30% or higher).

Household income limits (Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2020) are:

Household Size	1 Person	2 Person	3 Person	4 Person	5 Person	6 Person
Up to 60% AMI	$38,880	$44,400	$49,980	$55,500	$59,940	$64,380
Up to 80% AMI	$51,800	$59,200	$66,600	$74,000	$79,950	$85,850

The maximum assistance given cannot exceed a one-time cap grant amount of $4,000 per household in the City of Davis and up to $3,000 per household in all other Yolo County areas. Back rent or overdue utility costs due on or after July 1, 2020 are eligible for assistance as well. Funds will be disbursed directly to the landlord and utility provider on behalf of the tenant. The program bridges the gap between what the tenant can afford and the tenant’s actual rent. The required tenant's share of rent is 10% of adjusted gross monthly income. The share of monthly rental assistance will be the difference between actual rent and the tenant payment. There are no requirements for repayment of grants from this program.

“This grant opportunity provides rent and utilities relief to those who have been financially devastated by the COVID-19 crisis,” said Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors Gary Sandy. “Given that these funds are allocated on a first come - first served basis, it is imperative that renters move rapidly in applying.”

Additional information about the Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program, including a program overview document and the application is available on the YCH website at www.ych.ca.gov/COVID-19/2020.php. For additional updates follow Yolo County on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/YoloCounty/ or Twitter at: https://twitter.com/YoloCountyCA.