Santa Cruz County applies for COVID-19 federal aid

SANTA CRUZ >> The County of Santa Cruz announced Tuesday that it was awaiting a reply to its application for the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The program, designed to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities as a result of financial losses during the pandemic, is authorized through the Consolidated Appropriations

Act passed in December, the document shows. In total, the act allows for $25 billion nationally for emergency rent support, a prepared release from county spokesman Jason Hoppin says.

Santa Cruz County’s grant amount has not yet been officially declared, but the expected amount is approximately $8 million. Hoppin told the Sentinel that the estimate is based upon a list of likely award amounts from the National Association of Counties.

“Funds may be used to pay for rent, utilities and home energy costs, rent and utility arrears, and related housing costs of the eligible tenant,” Hoppin said in the release.

Renters in all cities and unincorporated areas who have at least one person in the household that qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability or has a household income at or below 80% of the area median income may apply for aid.

The legislation mandates that households with individuals employed for 90 days before the application and households with income at or below 50% of the area median income will be prioritized over all other applicants.

Previously, the county allocated $1.1 million of its federal CARES Act funds for a similar rental program for those impacted by the novel coronavirus.