RENTERS CAN GET HELP APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE ON RENT, UTILITIES

San Diego County renters can get help applying for COVID-19 emergency rent assistance and past-due utility payment assistance from TrueCare, a nonprofit health care provider in North County and South Riverside County. The nonprofit helps eligible community members fill out the application needed to apply through San Diego County’s Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program.

The program, in partnership with the County of San Diego, provides renters up to two months’ rent, including a security deposit, for a maximum of $7,000.

To be eligible, a single renter’s income must be $67,900 a year or less; a couple’s combined income no more than $77,600 and a family of four, no more than $97,000 a year. Rental assistance is open to residents who live within the jurisdiction of the San Diego County Housing Authority.

To qualify, applicants must show they cannot pay their rent by documenting a loss of income and lack of assets because of COVID-19. Applicants do not have to be TrueCare patients.

TrueCare’s enrollment team can help folks apply over the phone or in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at TrueCare locations, including in Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos and Ramona. Call (760) 736-6734 or email PatientRetentionandEngagement@truecare.org.

There is also a Rental Assistance for Small Landlords program for landlords who own fewer than five rental units. Visit sdhcd.org or call (858)-694-4801.

For information about San Diego County’s Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program, visit sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdhcd/erap.html.