Apply for Rent Relief before March 31st

& Take Action Today to Ensure Our Neighbors Stay Stably Housed

Over the last year, the emergency rental assistance program (ERAP) has helped thousands of low-income East Bay tenants clear the rental debt they accrued due to the economic disruption created by COVID-19. Many more are waiting on money from applications that were submitted months ago. While pressure is building to make ERAP work faster for those in need, we wanted to inform you, our community, of important changes to the programs serving the East Bay.

The last day to apply to the State’s Housing Is Key ERAP is March 31st. Housing Is Key is the program that serves tenants and landlords in Oakland and Contra Costa County (Oakland residents are able to apply to either the State or City of Oakland ERAP). Low-income tenants who have suffered an economic setback due to COVID-19 are eligible for up to 18 months of rent and utility relief. But they need to apply by March 31st in order to receive this support. 

Residents of Oakland, Fremont, and all other areas of Alameda County can also access rent and utility relief through local ERAPs. There has been such a strong need for assistance that all of the ERAPs serving residents of the East Bay have run out of money. But SB 115, which was recently signed by the Governor, guarantees that programs will receive enough money to make sure that all eligible residents who apply by March 31st will be covered. So apply now to be added to the waitlist–before it potentially closes for good! You can find information on how to apply, depending on where you live, here.

At EBHO, we know that too many tenants and affordable housing providers have been forced to wait, at times with great stress, while their applications are processed and claims are paid. This wait can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable tenants whose landlords grow impatient with the slow pace of relief and move to push them out.

So, if you are on a waitlist, or waiting on an approved payment, remember that landlords are currently prohibited from evicting tenants anywhere in Alameda County, except under rare circumstances. You can find information on emergency eviction protections, depending on where you live, here and information on how to access free legal support here

Take Action to Extend Eviction Protection Until ERAP Reaches All Who Need It