San Diego County

Emergency Rental Assistance Program in San Diego County

Apply Now to Avoid Eviction

The County’s 2021 Emergency Rent and Utilities Assistance Program (ERAP) helps eligible households in qualifying areas who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters who need help with rent and utilities. Applications will be accepted until funds are no longer available.

Verification checklist

• Documents can be provided after submitting application

Program Updates

• ERAP will provide payment assistance for renters behind on rent and utilities. The County will now pay 100 percent of unpaid and future rent to landlords and tenants.
• FAQ updates coming soon. 

Application Selection
The County will prioritize application selection based on the following:
 
Primary Prioritizations:
 

• Household income at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI)
• One or more household members are unemployed as of the date of the application for assistance and have not been employed for the 90 day period before such date (household income must not be above 80% AMI)

Secondary Prioritizations:
 

• Single-parent households
• Health Equity (using the lowest two quartiles of the Healthy Places Index or HPI to prioritize)-Residents who live in areas that have less access to healthy opportunities. Information about the Healthy Places Index can be found at healthyplaces.org. View County of San Diego map with HPI by City and Zip Code.

Eligibility Criteria
 
To be eligible for the program, households must meet all of the following criteria:
 
Jurisdiction:
 

• HCDS will serve individuals and families residing in the unincorporated areas of San Diego and the cities of: Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, and Vista
• Residents of the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista visit ERAPSanDiego.org for information about rental assistance in their area.

Eligible Income:
 

• Household income must fall at or below 80% AMI

Renter:
 

• Household must have an obligation to pay rent

Financial Hardship:
 

• Households must have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Household is at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Other Eligibility Notes:
 

• Households currently receiving rental subsidies such as Section 8, rapid rehousing assistance, or rental assistance from non-profit agencies may apply. The household must certify that the ERAP assistance requested does not duplicate any other assistance, including federal, state, or local assistance provided for the same costs. Duplication of assistance is subject to County verification.
• Only one application per residence will be permitted.

Income Levels:
 

• To be eligible, the combined income of all persons in the household must fall at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Please see AMI chart below.

Help With Your Application
If you need help with your application, these community based organizations are able to help;

If you are a Community Based Organization that is assisting with applications and have any questions or would like training regarding these programs, please contact us at (858) 694-4801 for assistance.
 
Application Status Verification
 
California State law (Assembly Bill 832) requires the County of San Diego COVID-19 Rent and Utility Assistance Program and similar programs throughout the State to provide a way for the Superior Court to verify the status of an application for rental assistance and obtain copies of decisions about an application.  
 
Visit our Application Status page to check the status and request copies of determination.
 
If you are a tenant or landlord with an existing application, log in to the online application portal at https://covid-19-2021-rental-assistance.sandiegocounty.gov/ to check the status of an application. Please log in with your email address and password.
 
Landlords
 
Landlord webinar available the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 9am-10am.
 
                Microsoft Teams meeting
 
                Join on your computer or mobile app
 
                Click here to join the meeting
 
                Or call in (audio only)
 
                +1 619-343-2539,,633625638#     United States, San Diego
 
                Phone Conference ID: 633 625 638# 
 
Informational session that will cover the Emergency Rent and Utilities Assistance Program. Landlords will have the opportunity to ask questions about the program.
For questions, please email eraplandlordquestions.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (858) 694-4801.
Landlord Flyer

Landlords Apply Here


Tenants Apply Here