Wine Country Times

Help is on the way for Sonoma County renters who continue to struggle with their monthly housing payment during COVID-19, according to reports from KSRO Radio. 

This week, Sonoma County officials announced that over $30 million in state and federal aid will roll out this month. 

"This aims to help folks that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who wound up being behind in their rental payments," said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lynda Hopkins in an April 7 interview with KSRO Radio. "It helps landlords and tenants alike."

The money is available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which is set to start accepting applications on Monday, April 19. The county has partnered with local nonprofit organizations that have traditionally given out funds to the needy to disburse this rental aid, "so people in need can go locally to a place they trust and access the funds that way," according to Hopkins. Tenants who are still behind on their rent and utilities are encouraged to apply until the funds run out. 

To qualify, tenants should be at or below 80% of the area median income. Households that are under 50% of the area median income will be given priority. The funding can be used for unpaid rent or utilities such as power, water, internet and gas. 

Hopkins said that rent aid isn't the only thing that the board has been working on. Officials have also been giving some attention to tenant rights, including funding for legal aid. 

"[This would] support tenants' rights to counsel to ensure that they have legal representation should there be any disputes or potential eviction proceedings with a landlord," she said.

Participation in the ERAP is option for landlords, according to Sonoma County. If a landlord participates in the program, they will receive 80% of the renters' debt accumulated between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. The remaining 20% of the debt would be forgiven. Landlords can also apply on their tenants' behalf. 

Eligible tenants who can demonstrate their financial hardship are encouraged to apply starting April 19. Applications can also be accessed through phone by calling 211.