Fresno County renters, are you behind on rent? There’s still millions in assistance available
Fresno County is inviting residents who are behind on rent and utilities as a result of COVID-19 to apply for additional financial help.
According to Fresno County program manager, Laura Moreno, the county still has $16.5 million from state funds to distribute — and more federal dollars from the American Rescue Act ERA 2 funds are on the way.
“Look, if you have any past debt, let’s wipe it out,” Moreno said. “I definitely encourage people to just apply.”
The emergency rental assistance program (ERAP) will pay for rental debt, utility debt, and up to three months of prospective rent for Fresno County renter households who make 80% or less of the area median income — which is $55,900 for a family of four — and have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
Now that the eviction moratorium for nonpayment of rent has ended at the state level, the emergency rent assistance program is one of the last protections for Fresno County renters affected by the pandemic.
The county also announced that it has fully distributed roughly $13.9 million of federal emergency rent funds from the first round of federal funding, allocated in January 2021, according to an Oct. 25 news release.
According to the news release, the federal pot of money was distributed among 2,137 applicants who have been accepted into the ERAP since the program began in April. The assistance averaged $6,000 per household.
In September, Katie Wilbur, the executive director of RH Community Builders — which oversees the county ERAP — said it takes an average of 53 days for tenants and landlords who applied to receive funds. Moreno explained that applications which were complete when turned in could take less than a month before the funds were available.
“(The application) was a bit cumbersome, and the jurisdictions were following the strict requirements of the Treasury Department,” Moreno said of the ERAP’s application when it first launched. “So the pathway was very narrow, and as we’ve progressed, they’ve widened those pathways.”
Now, in accordance with state guidance, the county accepts self-attestations if applicants do not have all the documentation, such as a formal lease, which was initially required.
Below are the top nine areas within the county with the largest distribution of the money. The city of Fresno, which operates a separate ERAP, is excluded.
Clovis: $2,227,784
County islands within the city limits: $748,713
Sanger: $575,064
Selma: $358,274
Coalinga: $254,097
Reedley: $239,485
Kingsburg: $192,119
Orange Cove: $152,587
Fowler: $150,647
County plans for future funding
Moreno said the county is already planning for the second round of federal funding — $10.9 million in ERA funds and an additional $3.6 million in “high needs” funding — which does not have the same tight restrictions associated with the initial ERAP rollout.
“Round 2 money is going to be a game-changer,” Moreno said. “How do we help these people who were really on the fringes in round 1? … What can be funded and what our community actually needs? What would be most beneficial?”
According to the US Treasury Dept. Round 2 funding will not expire until Sept. 30, 2025, giving the county “a little breathing room.”
How to apply for rental assistance through the county
To apply to the Fresno County ERAP, visit fresnorentalhelp.com or call 559-515-4700.