Alameda County receives $100 million from state for rental assistance, but it may not be enough
IEs continue to pour money into East Bay state and local races; Landlords give ALCO DA candidate $10,000 donation, PG&E gives to Lily Mei
—HELP FOR TENANTS COMING—Alameda County will receive an additional $100 million in state funding to help struggling renters and get landlords paid. The state funding comes on top of $129.3 million in federal relief for renters that arrived during the pandemic. The additional money is a forgivable loan from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, a county director said on Tuesday.
—“It’s a huge bonus to our program,” said Sandra Rivera, interim Community Development Agency director. The new money almost doubles the amount in the county’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). However, it will be some time until the money is allocated to renters—about 6 to 7 months, Rivera said.
—Even with the additional state money, the ERAP, which is no longer accepting applications, is likely oversubscribed by $30 million to $40 million. The total amount of requests for renters’ assistance is around $335 million from 14,000 households.
—County staff believes the true amount is more likely in the range of $260 million, Rivera said. That’s because applicants often request larger amounts of aid, in addition, to duplicate applications. On average, applicants receive about 80 percent of the amount they request for rental assistance, Rivera said.
—The increase in funding from the state comes at a time when Alameda County supervisors are facing intense pressure from landlords, who are clamoring to be paid rent more than two years after the county’s eviction moratorium remains in effect.
-Landlords have also railed against the county’s slow pace for distributing the previous rounds of ERAP funds. Of the $129.3 million received since 2021, $95 million has been allocated for rent and utilities payments to 6,900 households, according to the county.
More Inside:
Landlords give to DA candidate; PG&E favors SD10 candidate
Big money coming to Glazer’s controller campaign
Charter school interest keep up the heat
Roundup: IE spending; Late contributions
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