County enters into rental assist program

SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved two items on its agenda that will back residents enduring hardships caused by the coronavirus.

On top of funding that will be provided through another round of stimulus checks announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the supervisors are giving citizens — especially those that are considered low and extremely low income — another chance to secure funding.

The state’s Rental Assistance Program, nicknamed RAP, will provide $16.9 million to households needing rent relief.

Staff will work with the state to participate in a central program where both federal allocation and state allocation are managed on behalf of the county and its cities or by a community development financial institution partnered with the state. The Rental Assistance Program will be launched for those residents interested in seeking relief by no later than March 15.

Through the passage of its consent calendar, the board OK’d more than 60 items — including an item allowing its Human Services Department to hire 36 people to help with emergency shelter response and re-housing efforts for those who lost their homes in the last year.

These new hires will help those experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County to shelter in place, isolate and quarantine safely.

Help through funding

At least 90% of the funding from the Rental Assistance Program must be used to help residents pay their rent and utilities, explained County of Santa Cruz Principal Planner Suzanne Ise. In addition, certain funds can be used for prospective rental assistance for a limited time. A prepared statement from county spokesman Jason Hoppin clarified that funds can be used for rent, utilities, home energy costs, rent and utilities arrears, and related housing costs of the eligible tenant. Renter households must include at least one individual who qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Santa Cruz County reached a recent high of 17% in April 2020. By December, that number had dropped by approximately 7%.

Eligible applicants are renters with household income at or less than 80% of the area median income. Prioritization will be given to those households at or less than 50% of the area median income and especially those who demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the area median income for a given household — a measurement used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to find the midpoint of a region’s income distribution — in Santa Cruz County in 2019 was $82,234.

The county said in its Tuesday statement that participating landlords may receive payment of 80% of rental arrears incurred by their program-eligible tenants.

Arrears honored are during the period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Tenants do not need landlords to participate to be eligible to receive up to 25% of back rent owed.

In March, renters can apply for the program through a portal on the state’s dedicated website at HousingIsKey.com.

Help through staffing

The board supported staff’s recommendation and voted to approve the addition of 36 full-time equivalent limited-term positions to the Human Services Department. Of these 36 individuals, 28 will staff COVID-19 emergency shelter response efforts as clerks, clerical supervisors and a program coordinator.

“Acceptance of these limited-term positions is necessary to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are 65 and older or medically vulnerable,” said Human Services Director Randy Morris in his report. “HSD will utilize these limited-term positions to ensure staffing stability in shelter operations and services in both North and South County.”

According to the staff report, the other six individuals will staff shelter re-housing efforts as social workers, a mental health supervising client specialist and a senior human services analyst.

“In anticipation of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, HSD is planning a series of programs and services to maximize the number of current guests staying in FEMA-supported COVID-19 shelter sites that exit to permanent housing with appropriate services and supports,” Morris and his staff said. “As part of this re-housing effort, HSD will utilize a mix of one-time state and federal funding to initiate new programs consistent with the Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz draft framework for addressing homelessness.”

Additionally, two fulltime equivalent Benefits Representative positions to support the benefits enrollment of shelter residents will be hired.

“Ensuring that shelter guests have access to health care, food assistance and other supports will help provide some stability as they search for permanent housing,” staff included with its recommendation.

These individuals will aid in continuing efforts that the Human Services Department has coordinated over the last year, including hiring more than 400 employees to support the local COVID-19 response and shelter operations. The department and its expanded workforce have supported at least 1,300 people experiencing homelessness since the start of the pandemic; because of pandemic response plans, department heads anticipate the expanded workforce will need to be kept up through the end of 2021. All of the 36 positions requested by staff will be primarily funded through FEMA funding or other available grants. HSD allocations are also possible.

According to staff, there will be no financial impact to the county’s General Fund.