Rent and Utility Assistance Available to Sacramento County Residents
Eviction Ban Deadline is Set to Expire June 30
Sacramento, CA—The Salvation Army, in partnership with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), is encouraging those in need to apply for rent and utility assistance. SHRA has approximately $100 Million in state and federal funding in response to COVID-19 available to individuals and families who qualify. The two organizations want the public to know this help is out there as the state’s eviction ban and the moratorium on utility shutoffs for nonpayment are both set to expire on June 30, 2021.
“In supporting the SERA2 program, it is our hope to help struggling families stay housed,” said Lieutenant Larry Carmichael, Sacramento County Social Services Officer. “The best way to prevent homelessness is to keep individuals and families in their current housing. Past due rent and/or utilities may be the very snowball that cascades a family onto the streets. This program can stop that avalanche from every happening.”
Renters eligible for SHRA’s Rent and Utility Assistance Program (SERA-2) can receive assistance for past monies owed from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. They may also qualify to have a portion of their rent paid for April, May and June 2021. The total assistance amount available will depend on household need. Priority will be given to households that owe past rental payments.
To be eligible, at least one household member must qualify for unemployment benefits or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or has experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. Applicants must also demonstrate housing instability or a risk of being unhoused. Income restrictions also apply. To be considered, applicants must have the following documents; one form of identification, rental lease, document showing how much you owe in rent or utilities, household gross income for 2020, and current household income for the past two months.
The Sacramento Housing and Rental Agency currently has fewer applications than they have funds to give out. They are urging those in need to apply as the state deadlines quickly approach. To apply and for more information, head to www.shra.org/sera. You can also call SHRA at (916) 449-1266 or The Salvation Army at (916) 678-4010.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit.
For more information, visit GoSalArmy.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @SalArmyDelOro and on Facebook at The Salvation Army of Northern California.