Fresno’s first wave of rent and mortgage assistance is available. Here’s how to apply
The city of Fresno is offering the first wave of $5 million in grants to help people stay in their homes if they’ve been hurt financially by the coronavirus.
Co-sponsored by Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria, Miguel Arias and Luis Chavez, the program offers grants of $1,500 to individuals and $3,000 for families.
The first wave comes from $1.5 million in CARES Act relief money, according to the plan. Another $3.5 million is set to come later.
There are income requirements to be eligible. A family of four has to make less than $55,900, for example.
Soria said the city leaders wanted to make the first wave available as quickly as possible. Applicants could get checks as soon as next week.
“What we wanted to do is make sure our families are quickly served so they can stay in their homes,” she said.
The grants can go to anyone living in city limits who can show they are behind on rent or their mortgage. The money can also be used on other household costs, like utilities.
The money is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants are required to sign an affidavit that they will spend the money on household costs.
Calls for assistance have already begun to come in, according to Margarita Rocha, executive director of Centro La Familia. “This organization has been inundated with (requests for) this kind of help,” she said.
Officials said residents should apply to just one of the organizations handling applications. Multiple applications could disqualify an applicant.
The six organizations involved were picked because they already are in the community assisting families, and can get the grants out faster, according to Arias.
As of July 20, some payments have already gone out to applicants. More money is expected to be added to the program, according to Arias.
You can apply by contacting one of the six nonprofits:
Reading and Beyond, 4670 E Butler Ave. inside the Mosqueda Center, 559-214-0317, readingandbeyond.org
The Fresno Center, 4879 E. Kings Canyon Ave., 559-898-2565, fresnocenter.org
Centro La Familia, 302 Fresno St,. 559-237-2961, centrolafamilia.org
Education and Leadership Foundation, 4290 E. Ashlan Ave., 559-291-5428, education-leadership.org
Jakara Movement, 3470 W Spruce Ave., 559-549-4088, jakara.org
West Fresno Family Resource Center, 1802 E California Ave., 559-621-2967, wfresnofrc.org
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 2:10 PM.
