Program Overview
The San Joaquin County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is intended to provide housing stability for families and individuals facing economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance will be provided for:
- Households with unpaid rent from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, helping to stabilize households and prevent evictions.
- Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months, if needed, to ensure housing stability, and if Program funding is available. Note: past and current months will be granted first. If additional months are needed to be covered, a new application will need to be made per month and updated verification documents provided.
- Eligible households may also receive funding for unpaid utilities for the same time period, including electricity, gas, water, sewer, and garbage.
- Funds will generally be paid directly to the landlord and/or utility providers.
Rental Assistance Application
Application Period
San Joaquin County will being acccepting applications on March 15, 2021, at noon.
- Applications for both renters and landlords must be submitted, with all required documentation, by 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2021.
Rental Addresses - within the City of Stockton or San Joaquin County
To apply for the San Joaquin County Rental Assistance Program, the renter's household address must be located within the county limits, but outside of the Stockton City limits.
Note: There is a small number of addresses that use the City of Stockton in their address, but are located in unincorporated areas. These addresses would need to be completed through the County of San Joaquin Portal. You can check your address by using the link below to determine if it falls outside of the Stockton City limits.
About Your Address
Eligible Applicants
An application for rental assistance may be submitted by either an eligible household or by a landlord on behalf of an eligible household. Landlords and eligible households are encouraged to work together during the application process to maximize the amount of assistance received.
Landlord and Renter Participation
If a landlord agrees to participate in the process, funding may be awarded for 80% of the eligible household’s unpaid rental debt for up to 12 months, from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. As a condition of the award, a landlord must agree to waive the remaining 20% rental obligation for the period awarded.
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Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of rental arrears assistance, plus an additional three months, if needed, to ensure housing stability, and if Program funding is available. Note: past and current months will be granted first. If additional months are needed to be covered, a new application will need to be made per month and updated verification documents provided.
- Households may be eligible to receive up to 100% in utility assistance for the same period.
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If a tenant pays at least 25% of his/her rent owed between September 2020 and June 2021, they are permanently protected from eviction for not paying their full rent during this period, however they will still owe their landlord all unpaid rent. Landlords may still proceed with other types of “just cause” eviction unrelated to a tenant’s failure to pay rent.
Renter Only Participation
If a landlord chooses not to participate, funding is limited to 25% of the eligible household’s unpaid rental debt accumulated from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
Qualified tenants will also be able to access funds to cover 25% of prospective/future rent for the months of April, May, and June of 2021, subject to funding availability.
- Eligible households may only receive future rent, if past rent is not owed, or if funding is requested to reduce past rent.
- Eligible households are limited to three months of future rent at a time, but renters may reapply for additional assistance at the end of the three-month period if needed. Note: past and current months will be granted first. If additional months are needed to be covered, a new application will need to be made per month and updated verification documents provided.
- Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months, if needed, to ensure housing stability, and if Program funding is available.
- Households may be eligible to receive up to 100% in utility assistance for the same period.
2020 Maximum Income Allowed Based on the Number of Persons in Household
Housing Size
(Persons)
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
| 50% AMI |
$26,250 |
$30,000 |
$33,750 |
$37,500 |
$40,500 |
$43,500 |
$46,500 |
$49,500 |
| 80% AMI |
$42,000 |
$48,000 |
$54,000 |
$60,000 |
$64,800 |
$69,600 |
$74,400 |
$79,200 |
- One or more tenants qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.
- Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Provide documentation that verifies loss of income due to COVID-19.
Required Documents for Applications
Examples of required documents for both renters and landlords are provided below.
Renters
- Valid identification for all applicants.
- Basic applicant information for all household members.
- Current rental agreement.
- Utility statement(s) reflecting unpaid utility bill(s).
- Authorization to apply for funding on behalf of the eligible household if a representative is completing the application.
- Documentation of household income:
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Include the most recent two months of paystubs prior to application or 1040/W-22 for 2020.
- Verification of loss of income (one of the following):
- Termination Notice,
- Unemployment Award Letter,
- Pay Stubs reflecting reduced salary,
- Bank Statements, or
- Other similar documentation.
Landlords
- Proof of Ownership: Property Deed(s), Mortgage Note(s), Property Tax Statement;
- Property Management Agreement (if applicable);
- Documentation showing the amount of rental arrears for the period of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021;
- Copy of Property Insurance Statement; and
- Lease or rental agreement reflecting tenant’s name, residence address, and monthly rent due.
Apply Here
Resources
Please contact San Joaquin County for assistance with the San Joaquin County Emergency Rental Assistance Program at ERAPquestions@sjgov.org or by dialing: 211
External Links
State of California - Housing is Key or CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center: 1-833-430-2122
Important Update: March 15, 2021
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Application Open
Important Update: February 9, 2021
Family COVID Assistance Grant Application Period Closed
Important Update: January 28, 2021
Small Business Assistance Grant Program Application Period Closed
Announcement
Personal Protective Equipment Grant — Application Period Open