Who is eligible (all must be true):
- Renter households with incomes at or below 80% AMI
- Rental units must be located within City of El Cajon city limits
- Must have a written lease with verifiable address and adult tenants named
- Households experiencing loss of income directly related to COVID-19
- Must have documented job loss, lay off, or wage reduction
- COVID-19 positive, or caring for someone who is COVID-19 or
- Business closure (temporary or permanent) due to COVID-19
Who is NOT eligible:
- Homeowner households
- Households receiving other government-based rental assistance (including tenant-based vouchers ,
- Housing Choice Vouchers, Project Based Voucher projects)
- Households residing in Public Housing
Assistance provided:
- 1-3 months of assistance
- Assistance can cover past due balance for rent and/or utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer only) beginning no earlier than April 1, 2020
- Assistance going forward will be based on continuing need
- Up to $2,000 per month to cover past due rents and/or utilities from April 1 forward related to COVID-19
- Payments will be made directly to landlord on behalf of household (with household verification)
Application Process:
- Tenants should email us at housing@home-start.org (preferred) or call 619-430-0032.
- Documents to be submitted:
- Application for Rent/Utility Assistance
- Certifications of income, relationship to COVID-19, and certification that household is not receiving any other government-based housing assistance
- Two most recent pay stubs (household member names and address must match address on lease)
- Severance or reduction of hours letter from employer
- Proof of application for unemployment benefits, or proof of denial of unemployment benefits
- Copy of current lease agreement with landlord’s contact information (oral lease agreements are not eligible for assistance)
- If applying for rent assistance:
- Copy of past due or eviction notice (rent due must be itemized by month)
- If applying for utility assistance:
- Copy of utility bills showing past due balances accumulated (past due balances prior to April 1 are not eligible) and current amount due
- Names and addresses on pay stubs and utility bills must match address on Lease agreement
- Other Program requirements:
- Lead based paint inspection required when unit is built before 1978