HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.21.21 Report to Legislature-Emergency Rental Assistance Program
From:Boston, Shelby
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Cook, Robin;Hironimus, Patrizia;
Kimmelshue, Tod;Lucero, Debra;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Reaster, Kayla;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;
Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug
Cc:Kim, Sang;Pickett, Andy
Subject:Report to Legislature-Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Date:Monday, June 21, 2021 12:36:17 PM
Attachments:JLBC_REPORT_06092021_FINAL.pdf
Good Afternoon,
Attached please find the latest report from the State regarding the Emergency Rental Assistance
Program. I will share with you that the program has been slow to ramp up and provide payment.
The State has taken some positive steps to streamline the application process and I believe this will
help to get money into the hands of renters/landlords. Overall, in Butte County the response to the
program has been smaller than anticipated.
Thank you,
Shelby Boston
CALIFORNIA
COVID-19 RENT RELIEF
STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
First Monthly Report to
Joint Legislative Budget Committee
California Department of Housing
and Community Development
June 4, 2021
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................
II. Continuously Adapting the Program to Evolving Needs ...............................................................2
III. California’s Statewide Rental Assistance Program Structure ....................................................3
IV. Program Performance .................................................................................................................................4
a. Obligation and Expenditure by Area Median Income Level ............................................................................................................4
b. Obligation and Expenditure by Race and Ethnicity..............................................................................................................................6
V. Background ......................................................................................................................................................9
a. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the Federal Rental Assistance Program .....................................................9
b. SB 91 and the State Rental Assistance Program ......................................................................................................................................11
VI. Planning and Design ...................................................................................................................................12
a. HCD’s Direct Rental Assistance Program known as “California COVID-19 Rent Relief” .................................................12
b. Planning and Design of the Coordinated Programs Among Option B Jurisdictions ........................................................12
c.HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program and Option B Jurisdiction Documentation Requirements ..13
d. Dual Implementation Approach Among Option C Jurisdictions ...................................................................................................13
e. HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Project Team .....................................................................................................13
f. Program Administration .............................................................................................................................................................................
...............13
g. HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Education and Outreach...........................................................................14
h. Utilities ..........................................................................................................................................................................................
......................................15
.............................................................16
a. Team Assembly and Milestones .......................................................................................................................................................................
...16
b. HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program and Option A Jurisdictions ......................................................................17
c. Coordinated Programs Among Option B Jurisdictions ........................................................................................................................18
d. Dual Implementation Approach Among Option C Jurisdictions ...................................................................................................18
e. Program Administration .............................................................................................................................................................................
..............19
f. HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Education and Outreach ............................................................................22
g. Challenges .........................................................................................................................................................................................
..............................24
Appendices ...........................................................................................................................................................26
Appendix I. Statutory Basis for Report ................................................................................................................................................................
.27
..................................................................................................................................................................................................28
Appendix III. Map of jurisdictions implementation model .......................................................................................................................29
Appendix IV. Allocation tables ........................................................................................................................................................................
..........30
Appendix V. Summary of bifurcations between local and state programs ...................................................................................33
Appendix VI. Recapture and Reallocation ........................................................................................................................................................36
Appendix VII. Local Partner Network (LPN) ......................................................................................................................................................37
Appendix VIII. CPUC Support for State Rental Assistance Program ................................................................................................40
| HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
I.Executive Summary
| HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
II. Continuously Adapting the
Program to Evolving Needs
HCD implemented a redesigned application portal
in early June based on feedback and
recommendations from user-centered design experts and
stakeholders. The new application was reorganized
and rewritten to improve understanding, accessibility,
and ease in applying. The launch will include outreach to
stakeholder groups, associations, and the public to
promote and explain the changes. HCD will be monitoring
user activity closely.
anticipates making further changes to
ensure the program is accessible for applicants most in
need. For example,
households in non-traditional
rental agreements who may not otherwise qualify for
assistance while maintaining an emphasis on building risk
management and fraud prevention into the technology and
case management processes. With solid controls in place
and a better understanding of the
fraud, or abuse.
On May 10, Governor Newsom announced the Administration's We believe that these ongoing improvements and, if
enacted, the proposed statutory changes to the
plan to seek statutory changes to provide eligible applicants
with 100% payment of rental debt and support for months of compensation levels will lead to higher levels of
participation by California tenants and landlords. Now that
current and future rent, compensating tenants and landlords
equally. We strongly support this proposal, as we believe the infrastructure, systems, and protocols are in place to
ensure program rigor, HCD believes it is well positioned to
such a change will spur greater use of the program, and
particularly encourage small landlords and their tenants to continue administering the California COVID-19 Rent Relief
Program as well as administer the Round 2 American Rescue
apply for assistance.
Plan Act funding that will nearly double
HCD has also worked proactively to reduce and remove
barriers to available rent and utility assistance. For example,
an online mapping tool and eligibility quiz was added to the
state’s Housing Is Key website to route applicants directly
to the correct assistance program for their location. HCD
reduced the number of clicks necessary to get to the state’s
application, improved language accessibility within the
application, and began using eviction risk indices mapping
to inform the program's outreach, selection of partners, and
neighborhood targeting.
2 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
III.California’s Statewide Rental
Assistance Program Structure
HCD designed and implemented the State Rental Assistance Option C – Dual Implementation: Finally, SB 91
program in compliance with federal and state legislation. provided jurisdictions with populations over
SB 91 provides for three program administration options. 200,000 that had received a direct ERAP allocation
Localities that did not receive a direct Emergency Rental from Treasury the option to distribute their federal
Assistance Program (ERAP) distribution from Treasury (i.e., ERAP allocation under the federal Consolidated
those with populations under 200,000) are automatically Appropriations Act provisions and applicable local
served through HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief requirements. California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief
Program. SB 91 gave Large Jurisdictions who had received Program administers the jurisdictions’ share of state
a direct federal allocation from Treasury three options to ERAP allocations under the requirements of SB 91.
choose from in implementing their direct federal allocation As of May 31, 2021, all 16 Option C jurisdictions had
and proportionate share of the state’s federal allocation. opened their respective local programs and began
Those implementation options are outlined below. accepting applications for assistance utilizing direct
federal allocations. Five of the programs were no
Option A – State-Administered Program: SB 91 set
longer accepting applications at the end of May
up the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program to
based on the volume of applications received
serve jurisdictions with populations under 200,000
so far. Those jurisdictions currently redirect new
and Large Jurisdictions that chose to opt-in. Large
inquiries to the state-administered program to
Jurisdictions that opt into HCD’s California COVID-19
apply. Refer to Appendix V on page 33 for a list of
Rent Relief Program have their direct allocation from
Option C jurisdictions, their status, and bifurcation
Treasury administered by HCD through one central
approaches.
application process.
Option B – Locally Administered Programs: SB 91 also
gave Large Jurisdictions, those with populations over
200,000 and that received a direct ERAP allocation
from Treasury, the option to receive their share of
the state’s direct allocation as a block grant. Eligible
jurisdictions that administer local programs with
state block grant funds agree to distribute both their
federal and state ERAP allocations in accordance
with the provisions of SB 91.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
IV.Program Performance
a.
The tables below depict the level of funds obligated in total and those expended to aid applicants with household incomes
in three categories of Area Median Income (AMI). In reviewing submitted applications, HCD initially “obligates” funds to
commit them to an Eligible Household or Eligible Landlord pending the receipt of additional information, completion
legislation, applications for rental and utilities arrears are prioritized before those seeking assistance with current and
prospective rent and utilities. HCD expects to begin obligating funds for prospective payments in coming months. Data
reported by Option B jurisdictions is incomplete as most of the locally administered programs have not yet completed their
program designs and received their state block grant allocations.
Reporting through May 31, 2021.
State-Administered Program - Option A Jurisdictions
Rent Utilities Total
Funds obligated for arrears $ 124,407,021.00 $ 1,751,927.58 $ 126,158,948.58
Funds expended for arrears by income level $ 30,857,790.41 $ 0 $ 30,857,790.41
<=30% AMI $ 17,792,306.41 $ 0 $ 17,792,306.41
>30 and <=50% AMI$ 8,891,397.00 $ 0 $ 8,891,397.00
>50 and <=80% AMI$ 4,174,087.00 $ 0 $ 4,174,087.00
Funds obligated for current and
$ 0 $ 0 $ 0
prospective payments
Funds expended for current and
$ 0 $ 0 $ 0
prospective payments by income level
<=30% AMI - - -
>30 and <=50% AMI- - -
>50 and <=80% AMI- - -
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Rent Utilities Total
Funds obligated for arrears $ 22,322,696.00 $ 473,305.02 $ 22,796,001.02
Funds expended for arrears by income level $ 1,329,115.00 $ 0 $ 1,329,115.00
<=30% AMI $ 644,170.00 $ 0 $ 644,170.00
>30 and <=50% AMI$ 361,775.00 $ 0 $ 361,775.00
>50 and <=80% AMI$ 323,170.00 $ 0 $ 323,170.00
Funds obligated for current and
$ 0 $ 0 $ 0
prospective payments
Funds expended for current and
$ 0 $ 0 $ 0
prospective payments by income level
<=30% AMI - - -
>30 and <=50% AMI- - -
>50 and <=80% AMI- - -
5 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
b.Obligation and Expenditure by Race and Ethnicity
The tables and charts below depict tenant and landlord applications for assistance at principal stages of processing:
Application Submitted – Tenant (with or without landlord participation) has completed their application, submitted it,
and it is ready for Case Manager review.
application approval.
Approved (Pending Payment) – Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) has reviewed an application and approves
it for payment. Finance team takes over and begins payment process.
Paid – Application
total also includes all payments issued within the jurisdiction to date.
1.Applications Submitted by Race and Ethnicity
Submitted Submitted
Race Ethnicity
Applications Applications
American Indian or Alaska Native 507 Hispanic or Latino 16,481
Asian 4,092 Non-Hispanic or Latino 20,775
Black or African American 7,017 Not Reported 4,021
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 407 Refuse to Answer 3,105
Not Reported 4,001 Grand Total 44,382
Other Multi-Racial 7,519
Refuse to Answer 5,523
White 15,316
Grand Total 44,382
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Applications Submitted by RaceApplications Submitted by Ethnicity
Refuse to
American Indian or
Answer
Asian
Alaska Native
7%
9%
Not Reported
1%
9%
Hispanic or
Black or
Latino
African
White37%
American
35%
16%
Native
Hawaiian or
Other Pacific
Islander
1%
Not Reported
9%
Non-Hispanic
Refuse to
or Latino
Answer
47%
Other Multi-Racial
12%
17%
2.Applications Approved by Race and Ethnicity
Approved Approved
Race Ethnicity
Applications Applications
American Indian or Alaska Native 27 Hispanic or Latino 869
Asian 256 Non-Hispanic or Latino 1,756
Black or African American 582 Not Reported 285
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 29 Refuse to Answer 251
Not Reported 273 Grand Total 3,161
Other Multi-Racial 477
Refuse to Answer 320
White 1,197
Grand Total 3,161
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Applications Approved by RaceApplications Approved by Ethnicity
Refuse to
American Indian
Asian
Answer
or Alaska Native
8%
8%
Black or
1%
Not Reported
African
9%
American
Hispanic or
18%
Latino
27%
White
38%
Native
Hawaiian or
Other Pacific
Islander
1%
Not Reported
9%
Refuse to
Non-Hispanic
Other Multi-Racial
Answer
or Latino
15%
10%
56%
3.Amount Paid by Race and Ethnicity
Expended Amount Expended Amount
Race Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska $ 159,929.31 Hispanic or Latino $ 7,313,790.87
Native
Asian $ 2,649,266.10 Non-Hispanic or Latino $ 18,456,737.56
Black or African American $ 5,060,180.54 Not Reported $ 3,249,122.92
Native Hawaiian or Other $ 374,304.66 Refuse to Answer $ 3,167,254.06
Pacific Islander
Not Reported $ 2,630,369.77 Grand Total $ 32,186,905.41
Other Multi-Racial $ 4,674,102.69
Refuse to Answer $ 3,345,592.20
White $ 13,293,160.14
Grand Total $ 32,186,905.41
8 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Amount Paid by Ethnicity
Amount Paid by Race
Refuse to
Answer
American Indian or
Asian
10%
Alaska Native
8%
Hispanic or
Black or
1%
Latino
African
23%
American
Not Reported
16%
10%
White
41%
Native
Hawaiian or
Other Pacific
Islander
1%
Not Reported
8%
Non-Hispanic
or Latino
Other Multi-Racial
Refuse to
57%
15%
Answer
10%
V.Background
a.
the Federal Rental Assistance Program
The federal government passed the federal Consolidated the Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Appropriations Act of 2021 (the "Act") into law on December 21, The Act requires implementers to prioritize the payment
2020. The Act allocated approximately $25 billion nationwide of existing housing-related arrears that could result in the
for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program ("ERAP"). The eviction of an eligible household. Further, the Act provides
ERAP seeks to help stabilize tenants and landlords impacted that implementers should reduce an eligible household's
by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic rental arrears before providing them support for current and
fallout. States were awarded ERAP funding in proportion future rent. The Act also allowed for a small portion of ERAP
to their share of the total US population according to the funds to go to program administration, outreach, and housing
2019 Census. The State of California received approximately stabilization services.
$2.65 billion in rental assistance support. Around $1.4 billion
2.Eligible Recipients and Prioritization
was given directly to the state, while the remaining balance
of ERAP Funds
was provided directly to local jurisdictions with populations
above 200,000.
Under the Act, at least one member of a renter household
must meet at least one of the following criteria to receive rent
1.Eligible ERAP Activities
and utility relief assistance:
Pursuant to Section 501(c) of Subtitle A of Title V of Division
N of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,
reduction in household income, incurred high costs,
rental assistance funds can only fund rental arrears, future
rental payments, utility and home energy cost arrears, future
or
utility and home energy costs, and "other expenses related
Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness
to housing incurred due, directly or indirectly, to the novel
or housing instability.
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak" as determined by
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
SB 91 allows for HCD to recapture under-utilized allocations
In addition to meeting one of the requirements above, the
and reallocate them to other jurisdictions with demonstrated
household must be at or below 80 percent AMI.
need and capability to distribute funds to eligible households.
SB 91 also allows for HCD to waive recapturing of a local
jurisdiction’s funds if the jurisdiction can demonstrate it has
Within these criteria, the Act requires implementers to
a reasonable plan to meet Treasury deadlines. The objective
prioritize rental assistance funds for households with incomes
of this clause is to ensure that California is best positioned to
under 50 percent of AMI and/or who have one or more
avoid having critical federal resources recaptured by Treasury.
household members who have been recently unemployed.
The primary rationale for this focus is to stabilize households
5.
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Act also requires fund implementers to design and
3.Non-discrimination
implement program features that prevent the duplication
It is a state priority that all persons eligible for these
local jurisdictional partners to work to prevent households
funds receive equitable access to assistance and are
from receiving payments from multiple sources for the same
served with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless
incurred expenses, either unintentionally or fraudulently.
of their circumstance, ability, or identity. Eligible person's
circumstance, ability, and identity include but are not limited
to their belonging to a marginalized ethnic or racial community,
immigration status, criminal record, disability, gender or sexual
identity, and belonging to a group that has traditionally been
unable to access mainstream support. HCD recognizes that
those most in need of pandemic-related rental assistance
are often also those for whom barriers to accessing such a
program are the highest. With this in mind, HCD's guidelines
seek to ensure those most in need of assistance are prioritized
in and served by the State Rental Assistance Program and
block grant programs.
4.Obligation and Expenditure Deadlines
Under the Act, by September 30, 2021, Large Jurisdictions
must have obligated at least 65 percent of their direct federal
allocation. If Large Jurisdictions fail to obligate at least 65
percent of their direct federal allocation by September 30,
2021, they risk having these funds recaptured and reallocated
by Treasury. The Act also requires the complete expenditure
of ERAP funds by December 31, 2021 (subsequently extended
to September 30, 2022, pursuant to federal law).
SB 91 also established deadlines for funding obligation and
expenditure of state allocations. Jurisdictions that opted to
receive state block grants must commit to obligating their
state funds by June 1, 2021, and fully expend all funds by
August 1, 2021. Similar to the terms contained in the federal Act,
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
b.SB 91 and the State Rental Assistance Program
To implement state funds made available from the Act and (2)Round two priority shall be given to communities
provide support for California’s most vulnerable renters disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, as determined by
impacted by COVID-19, California passed SB 91. SB 91 created HCD.
the state Rental Assistance Program and provided eligible
(3)Round three prioritizes eligible households with a
jurisdictions with the option to accept their portion of the
household income less than 80 percent of AMI and who did
state allocation as a block grant. SB 91 also gave HCD the
not get prioritized in rounds one and two.
authority to create guidelines regarding the administration
of the federal rental assistance funds consistent with the
Households with income less than 50 percent of AMI continue
requirements of the federal law and any regulations or
to receive prioritization in the second and third rounds in line
guidance promulgated pursuant to federal law.
with the State Rental Assistance Program requirements.
SB 91 also extended tenant protections included in the Tenant,
3.California Department of Housing and
Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of
Community Development program
administration and contracting
evictions for nonpayment of rent by tenants experiencing a
authority
COVID-19 hardship and who pay at least 25 percent of their
SB 91 also authorized HCD to administer the program in
rent owed between September 2020 and June 2021. Key
accordance with applicable state and federal law. The bill
components of the SB 91 State Rental Assistance Program
further authorized HCD to contract with a vendor to serve as
include:
the program implementer to manage and fund services and
1.Compensation parameters for rental
distribute emergency rental assistance resources.
4.Program Implementation Options
and non-participation
Localities with populations under 200,000 are automatically
For assistance provided through the participating landlord
served through HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief
Program. SB 91 gave Large Jurisdictions three options to
50897.1(d), compensation was set at exactly 80 percent of an
choose from in implementing their direct federal allocation
eligible household's unpaid rental debt from April 1, 2020, to
and proportionate share of the state’s federal allocation.
March 31, 2021. To receive payment, the landlord must agree
Those implementation options, described previously on page
to forgive the household's remaining outstanding rental debt
3, are listed below.
per that subdivision.
Option A – State-Administered Program
For assistance provided through the non-participatory
Option B – Locally Administered Programs
landlord process under Health and Safety Code Section
Option C – Dual Implementation
50897.1(e), compensation was set at 25 percent of an eligible
household's unpaid rental debt from April 1, 2020 to March
5.Fund Expenditure Timeframes
31, 2021. For this process, households would receive the 25
percent directly.
As per the requirements of SB 91, Option B jurisdictions are
required to obligate at least 65 percent of their block grant
2.
funds by June 1, 2021. Jurisdictions that do not obligate 65
with round prioritization as follows:
percent of their total emergency rental assistance funds may
have their block grant funds recaptured by HCD. Jurisdictions
in Section 501(c)(4) of Subtitle A of Title V of Division N of
that demonstrate they have a plan to implement their funds
the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public
within the federal timeframes can have this state timeline
Law 116-260), households with income that is less than 50
waived through consultation with HCD.
percent AMI.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
VI.Planning and Design
a.HCD’s Direct Rental Assistanceb.Planning and Design of the
Program known as “CaliforniaCoordinated Programs Among
COVID-19 Rent Relief”Option B Jurisdictions
HCD contracted with a program implementer to manage the
distribution of rental assistance directly to eligible households and readiness could elect to receive their share of the state’s
and landlords for Small Jurisdictions as well as for Large direct allocation as a block grant by formally making a request
Jurisdictions that opted to participate in the statewide direct to HCD not later than February 12, 2021. In making such a
assistance program (“Option A”). The program implementer request, each jurisdiction agreed to utilize its direct federal
provides, on behalf of HCD, a mobile-friendly online allocation in a manner consistent with the requirements
application process, application review and data validation, of SB 91. Consistency was deemed necessary to ensure
access, de-duplication checks, ADA accessibility, and direct jurisdiction boundaries. HCD has continued working closely
deposit support for both landlord and tenant applicants. with each of the 22 Option B jurisdictions that requested
state block grant allocations to provide them guidance and
HCD engaged rapidly with all Large Jurisdictions that
help verify that their respective rental assistance programs
elected to have their direct federal allocations administered
conform to applicable state and federal guidance.
through the state program to ensure their communities were
fully included in the launch of the state’s program. HCD As HCD worked with the Option B jurisdictions, the team
worked with these Option A jurisdictions to execute Standard spent a substantial amount of time helping to ensure the
Agreements and arrange for the localities’ federal allocations locally administered programs would be consistent among
to be redirected to the state. HCD manages the redirected
federal funds along with each jurisdiction’s proportionate focused on three key aspects of program delivery: applicant
share of state funds to serve applicants within the respective eligibility, eligible use of funds, and compensation standards.
jurisdiction’s boundaries. HCD believes SB 91 and federal statute are quite clear that all
applicants must be treated fairly and equitably, regardless of
HCD also engaged a vendor to facilitate partnerships with
the avenue available to them for requesting rental assistance.
outreach to applicants without access to technology, HCD and the jurisdictions’ teams have been working to
applicants with language access challenges, and applicants ensure they do not administer rental assistance in a way that
that need support in completing the application process.is inequitable in the administration of direct rental assistance
by the state or any of the local programs. Additionally,
In February, HCD also created an advisory committee made
jurisdictions that run local programs using state block grant
allocations must not add requirements to their programs that
planning and design phase, the advisory committee provided
deter or prevent access. These requirements include but are
feedback on the program’s implementation strategies.
not limited to those that intentionally or unintentionally result
in discrimination against protected classes, requirements
relative to legal resident status, and requirements that
condition access on driver’s licenses, formal leases, or
citizenship documentation.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
c.HCD’s California COVID-19e.HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent
Rent Relief Program andRelief Program Project Team
HCD recognized that it needed to pull together an inclusive
Option B Jurisdiction
Documentation Requirements
and support described in federal and state legislation. HCD
During the program's design phase, stakeholders, program
strategically selected vendors for their experience working
with similar programs and serving hard-to-reach, low-income,
requirements often bar those most in need of assistance
from applying to programs like the ERAP. Accordingly, HCD
and managers to lead the State Rental Assistance Program
has sought to keep documentation requirements for HCD’s
and conducted rapid procurements to engage contractors
California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program and the coordinated
experienced in case management, application processing,
Option B programs as simple as possible while balancing the
fund distribution, marketing and outreach, and local partner
network development. All the vendors were under contract
fraud risks. Examples of accepted simple documentation
within 60 days of the passage of SB 91. HCD continues to
include current participation in income-driven programs
like Medicaid, a 2020 tax return, unemployment statements,
partners and applicants statewide.
or self-attestations. Similar document types are available
for tenant households to provide to show loss of income or
unemployment and current residency.
f.Program Administration
1.Online Application Portal
d.Dual Implementation
Approach Among Option C
to help for the many Californians with unexpected rent- and
Jurisdictions
Pursuant to SB 91, a locality that was eligible for, but did not
portal was designed to help both tenants and landlords
receive, state block grant funds could elect to administer its
navigate the application process.
own direct federal share of assistance without conforming
2.
to the state’s guidance. In such cases, HCD retains the
jurisdiction’s proportionate share of state funds to be
Early on, HCD recognized that applicants would need a
administered by HCD on behalf of applicants not served
personalized point of contact to assist them in navigating
by the local program. HCD has worked with each of the 16
the application process. Recognizing this, HCD opted to
such Option C jurisdictions to delineate clear bifurcations
hire a case management team. HCD designed the case
between local and state programs. Methods for splitting
one-on-one assistance to applicants as they navigate the
and/or household income levels the local programs will
application process.
serve. Appendix V on page 33 provides a summary table of
3.Call Center
the bifurcation between local and state programs.
HCD designed and prepared the Call Center to communicate
When HCD and a local jurisdiction run programs at the same
with applicants from diverse backgrounds and who could be
time serving the same geographic area, the risk increases
calling while experiencing very challenging personal issues.
that both programs may receive applications for the same
HCD set up the Call Center to be accessible through the
household. To mitigate this concern, HCD has endeavored
toll-free number 833-430-2122 seven days a week from 7 am
to arrange data-sharing agreements with each Option C
jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing unlawful duplication
for state and federal holidays. HCD selected these hours of
of assistance to eligible households.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
activity because they accommodate the broadest assortment
g.HCD’s California COVID-19
of applicants' schedules. In preparing the Call Center, HCD
Rent Relief Program
also made sure the center could support applicants in
Education and Outreach
California's main languages and with comprehensive support
for additional languages.
1.Sessions
4.
Between January and May 2021, HCD met with a range of
stakeholder organizations to educate them and enlist them in
At the start of the pandemic, numerous localities provided
rental assistance to tenants at risk. Further, a program of
listening sessions provided invaluable insights that helped
this size and scope is at high risk for fraud and abuse. SB
91 requires fraud detection and prevention measures for
Program education and outreach strategy.
all stand-alone rental assistance programs. Given these
considerations, HCD designed the program and its processes
Below is a representative sample of organizations with whom
to balance fraud prevention and program accessibility.
vendor selection, and operating procedures to balance
League of California Cities
stewardship of public money with an application that is
California State Association of Counties
accessible to the target population.
California tenant coalition groups
California landlord coalition groups
California tribes and tribally designated housing
entities
Los Angeles County Business Federation
Housing is Key listserv organizations
2.
SB 91 required HCD to launch the application portal for the
California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program application by
March 15, 2021. SB 91 also prioritized ERAP funds for very-
low-income households and those hardest hit by COVID,
traditionally the hardest-to-reach populations. With this in
mind, HCD and its education and outreach partners worked
diligently through January, February, and March to lay
outreach campaign that could reach and resonate with those
most in need and the landlords who serve them.
3.Establishment of Community-Based Partner
Network
As stated previously, households most impacted by COVID-19,
most at risk of housing instability related to COVID-19, and
under 50 percent AMI are typically more challenging to
reach than other populations and face additional barriers
applying to programs like the ERAP. HCD intentionally and
systematically built relationships with community-based
partners across the state to provide person-centered and
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
culturally relevant guidance to Californians most in need of
h.Utilities
rent arrears assistance. A list and map illustrating the Local
HCD has actively coordinated with the California Public
Partner Network (LPN) coverage are provided in Appendix VII
Utilities Commission (CPUC). In response to HCD’s need to
starting on page 37.
verify utility balances, on April 15, 2021, the CPUC directed 10
large utility providers in the state to provide customer data
Recognizing that landlords are also in need of assistance with
validation to facilitate HCD’s administration of the program
rent arrears and that landlord participation is vital to clearing
(see Appendix VIII on page 40 for a copy of the CPUC
households’ rental debt, HCD also established partnerships
directive). HCD has coordinated with these 10 entities and
with landlord organizations across the state.
other utility providers in the state to receive data addressing
utility costs eligible for payment. Several larger utility
companies are individually implementing campaigns to
promote the program. So far, these campaigns have utilized
HCD is able to verify over 90 percent of electric and gas
claims. For other types of utilities, HCD can now validate 70
percent of claims.
Utility providers coordinate with HCD’s vendor to verify
reported utility costs on applications and to verify the claimed
unpaid balances are in alignment with amounts on record.
When data is not available from utility providers, HCD shall
accept documentation from applicants (e.g., most recent
statement). Utility expenses eligible for payment include
water, gas, electricity, trash, sewer, fuel oil, and internet
access. The data from utility providers and documentation
provided by applicants provides the necessary support to
validate amounts owed and to then provide payments on
arrears amounts and prospective balances, as appropriate.
Utility providers are not allowed to initiate an application on a
tenant’s behalf. As with the application for rental assistance,
HCD uses the data provided on the application to determine
if the applicant meets the income eligibility threshold (i.e.,
below 80 percent AMI) and where the application stands
in terms of prioritization (e.g., below 50 percent AMI). When
utilities are included in the total contract rent price, the SB 91
calculations for rental arrears applies. If utilities are included
in the 80 percent compensation limit under SB 91, landlords
may not apply for additional assistance for utility arrears
separate and in addition to rental arrears.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
VII.Implementation and
a.
Since the enactment of SB 91 on January 29, 2021, HCD Call Center initiated a soft opening on March 11, 2021,
prioritized the implementation of the California COVID-19 in advance of the opening of the application portal
Rent Relief State portal opened on March 15, 2021 to accept
collaboration with the Business, Consumer Services and applications from tenants and landlords
Housing Agency (BCSH), included assembling a team of HCD April 12, 2021, LISC launched an appointment
scheduling platform to allow LPN organizations to
the procurement of vendors to successfully implement the schedule and monitor appointments with applicants
program.requesting assistance.
As of May 31, 2021 for the Call Center:
Through May 31, 2021, accomplishments are demonstrated
o Over 221,500 calls to the Call Center since
by the following:
opening
o Average wait time of approximately four
seconds
and manage the program
o Languages utilized include Cantonese,
English, Armenian, Korean, Mandarin,
several retired annuitants and other skilled
Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Additional language support is available for
personnel) to implement the program
more than 200 languages through on-call
Procured the services of three key vendors
translation services
As of May 31, 2021 Program Metrics:
the following:
o Over 44,380 applications submitted (not
including duplicates and redirections)
SB 91 signed by the Governor on January 29, 2021
o More than 40,870 tenant applications and
Funding received from Treasury on February 3, 2021
over 3,500 landlord applications
Communications vendor (Prosio) hired on February
o Obligated more than $ million for rental
10, 2021
and utilities arrears for eligible applicants
Local Partner Network vendor (LISC) hired on
February 10, 2021, to cultivate and maintain network
of community-based partners
February 12, 2021, local jurisdictions designated
participation as Option A, Option B, or Option C
Fund Distribution Partner (FDP) vendor (Horne) hired
on March 4, 2021, to provide the technology and
Call Center, case management, quality control/
quality assurance, and funds disbursement
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
b.HCD’s California COVID-19
Rent Relief Program and
Option A Jurisdictions
On March 15, 2021, HCD and its Program Implementer
successfully launched the California COVID-19 Rent
Relief Program and began accepting tenant and landlord
applications. The program was publicly available and
operational by the deadline established in SB 91.
March 15 through May 31, 2021), the California COVID-19 Rent
Relief Program received approximately 44,380 submitted
applications (after removing duplicates and redirecting
applicants served by local programs). The state program is
designed for applicants to submit their full application up-
front versus an expression of interest for participation that
is trailed by case management to complete the application.
The Program Implementer and HCD established application
applications represented households within the jurisdictions
covered by the state-operated program. Applicants found
to reside in jurisdictions covered by locally administered
programs are redirected to the appropriate program.
This early process step redirected approximately 1,200
applications to the proper Option B jurisdictions and more
than 4,400 applicants to their respective Option C program.
HCD prioritized applications from jurisdictions covered
by the state-operated program for case management
review and further processing based on income level,
date received, and household criteria. As of May 31, case
managers had performed at least a preliminary examination
of the applications submitted from jurisdictions covered
by the state-run program and prioritized them for payment
per tenant vulnerability factors. Case managers followed up
with applicants to verify or seek information and proactively
reached out to landlords to encourage their participation in
active applications. At the end of May, roughly 50 percent of
the applications received in the state-run program were in
active stages of review and approval.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
c.Coordinated Programs Among Option B Jurisdictions
Jurisdictions that requested state block grant allocations to support their locally administered programs agreed to operate in
conformance with SB 91 requirements. To demonstrate their local operations would comply with applicable state and federal
guidance, HCD required each jurisdiction to submit documented Program Guidelines and Workplans before approving block
grant funds. HCD provided Option B jurisdictions with written guidance, templates, examples, and frequent meetings to support
their development of Program Guidelines that conformed to SB 91. Although some jurisdictions began accepting applications
HCD has engaged with all 22 of the Option B jurisdictions to understand their program plans and parameters prior to and
assistance in their communities. Data is subject to change based on actual applications, eligibility reviews, and funds available
for disbursement.
Emergency Rental Assistance Applications Received in Selected Option B Jurisdictions
Jurisdiction A Jurisdiction B Jurisdiction C Jurisdiction D Jurisdiction E
Tenant-initiated
11,232 12,903 3,520 67,065 11,649
Applications received
Landlord-initiated
998 1,915 1,202 43,426 2,006
Applications received
Cumulative dollar
value of requests for $55,262,993 $45,500,000 $30,000,000 $513,837,138 $41,384,913
Rent Arrears to-date:
Cumulative dollar
value of requests for
$50,694,420 $58,600,000 $17,610,000 $660,689,928 $12,330,590
Prospective Rent
payments to-date:
HCD will continue to monitor and track progress throughout the jurisdictions as part of HCD’s role to ensure adequate state and
federal funds are allocated where needed.
d.Dual Implementation Approach Among Option C Jurisdictions
Sixteen jurisdictions chose to establish local programs that followed federal rental assistance requirements but do not conform
to SB 91 (i.e., Option C). Because they did not commit to meeting SB 91 requirements, these jurisdictions did not receive HCD's
approval or review of their respective program parameters. Similarly, HCD does not actively oversee jurisdictions' operations
the program's inception, HCD has worked with all the Option C jurisdictions to support standard statewide practices, direct
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
For tenants and landlords eligible to apply through HCD’s
Some of the Option C jurisdictions established rental
California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, the online
application portal collects the required information from the
existing programs to expand the emergency rental and utility
applicants (both tenants and landlords). Before submitting
assistance available. Although it is not responsible for the
an application, landlord and tenant applicants must attest to
independently administered programs, HCD recognized
the following:
that some of the localities had not opened their application
processes as of late May. HCD retained applications
All information provided is true, accurate, and
submitted for households within Option C jurisdictions that
complete.
did not yet have active application processing capabilities to
help prevent households in need from being overlooked or
falsehoods or omissions in the application, including
lost between programs.
state and federal criminal penalties.
Landlords certify that payment under the program
e.Program Administration
represents payment in full for the rental debt owed
1.Online Portal
The location of the online portal is available via the “Housing
As stated previously, HCD designed the online portal
is Key” website.
to provide a “no wrong door approach” to tenants and
landlords across the state. Pivotal to this implementation,
Since the rapid design and launch of the online portal, HCD
applicants must complete an eligibility questionnaire before
has worked continuously to make the website and application
proceeding to begin an application with the California
as accessible as possible for applicants. For example, HCD
COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. This questionnaire seeks
updates the eligibility quiz regularly to route applicants
to ensure applicants apply to the correct program and,
to the correct application portal as local programs open
depending on applicant responses, helps redirect applicants
and close. In addition, HCD made several updates to the
to their local programs. Questions include:
eligibility quiz language in response to stakeholder feedback.
These changes have streamlined the application process for
Is the residence located in California?
Asks the income level of the household (i.e., lower
applicants across the state. However, HCD recognizes that
than 80 percent AMI).
further revisions to the website and online application are
Is a member of the household at risk of housing
needed to help ensure the program is easily accessible for
instability?
applicants most in need of relief.
Has a member of the household experienced
Location of the residence in California (i.e.,
jurisdiction) to address the risk of overlapping with
jurisdictions operating a local program.
Tribal members are encouraged to apply through
their tribal programs.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
HCD has been working with stakeholder groups, user assistance it has received with its partner jurisdictions to
experience designers, legal consultants, and its Local Partner help Californians across the state access aid.
Network to improve the application, website, and program.
2.
In addition, HCD used analytics about online user behaviors
in the current application to understand components
Application review includes the process for case
that posed challenges. The feedback provided by the
research and outreach to partners has been invaluable. Key
and documentation, verify eligibility, validate income and
suggestions included:
rent calculations, collect landlord payment data, and
approve rental or utility payments. Case managers perform
Reduce documentation requirements
a preliminary review of completed applications to determine
Consolidate document uploads
applicant eligibility and consistency with state and federal
Make the website and application more mobile-
law. Case managers compare each application against
friendly
established requirements (e.g., standards) to verify all
Provide greater language diversity on the website
data is satisfactory and complete. Upon completion of the
Shorten the length and complexity of the application
preliminary review, applications will be approved, denied, or
Reorganize the application for easier navigation
Provide applications with additional status updates
applications receive a secondary check for remediation,
regarding their application
where case managers will request and then review missing
Enhance the “no wrong door” experience for
or clarifying documentation. Applicants may also appeal a
applicants
denial, which would trigger an additional review by a case
In addition to making changes to the online application, HCD
recognized the need to help applicants who have limited or
Case managers proactively reach out to landlords to gain
no internet access. With the help of a network of community-
cooperation on behalf of tenants submitting applications.
based organizations, HCD provides in-person and phone-
based application support. HCD also added capabilities to
receive necessary support documents from applicants via
SMS text service, reducing the need for scanning or mailing
3.Call Center
documents. These applicant services are more fully described
The Call Center is available to both tenants and landlords
in the “Program Education and Outreach” section below.
to answer questions and assist applicants in completing
Many recommended changes only became possible to the application in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese,
Mandarin, and Cantonese. Additional language support
rent relief program guidance. HCD premiered a more user-is available for more than 200 languages through on-call
translation services. Through May 31, 2021, the Call Center
the average wait time of approximately four seconds for a
volume of over 221,500 calls since opening.
After the application improvements have been tested
and released, HCD’s program implementer will send email 4.
reminders to applicants who are in progress but not yet
HCD incorporates fraud prevention in the application
submitted, letting them know that the process to apply
and submit their forms. HCD will also utilize media relations
reviewing applications and supporting documentation.
Both application forms and documentation requirements
help communicate messaging about application changes
and ease of use. HCD anticipates sharing the feedback and
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
exchanges with Option C jurisdictions address the risk of an
allowed but avoided as much as feasible to reduce the risk applicant submitting multiple applications against both the
of fraud. HCD’s vendor shall deny program assistance to an state and local programs. HCD’s vendor checks all applications
applicant or terminate program assistance for a participant running through the state program to address the risk of
if a preponderance of the evidence shows the participant
willfully and intentionally committed fraud, bribery, or any
other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the program.
Fraud and abuse can consist of either a single act or a pattern of
actions made with the intent to deceive or mislead, and which
constitutes a false statement, omission, or concealment of a
substantive fact. Fraud and abuse could result in the payment
of program funds in violation of program requirements.
In determining whether a case of fraud or abuse exists, HCD’s
and intentional misreporting. HCD’s vendor must also
evaluate the special circumstances and seriousness of a case
to determine whether further investigation for evidence of
fraud or abuse is required.
If the eligible household is the applicant, HCD will engage
eligible household in the application. HCD protects personal
information related to the applicant such as income, race, and
ethnicity, and disability status from the landlord review. If the
applicant is the landlord, HCD engages the eligible household
the amount of rent in arrears. If discrepancies exist, or
provided documents, HCD’s vendors are required to initiate
further investigation.
For Option A jurisdictions, HCD established data exchanges
to check applications against prior rental assistance received
through other programs. For Option C jurisdictions, data
exchanges are established, or in process of being established,
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
a.f.HCD’s California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Education and Outreach
1.program. The HousingIsKey website is viewable in nearly 100
and Outreach
languages.
2.
began on March 15. This campaign used English, Spanish,
Community Based Partner Network
Chinese, Tagalog, and Korean radio ads and geographically
Beginning in February, HCD started onboarding and activating
targeted digital ads to reach low-income renters over 18
a statewide network of community-based organizations to:
and their landlords. HCD's second campaign began on April
12 and ended on May 23. The second campaign featured
1.Inform the public and key communities about the
rental and utility assistance programs.
ensure language is not a barrier to program access, it also 2.Conduct circuit rider / door-to-door outreach as
needed.
featured advertisements in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese,
3.Provide in-person, COVID-safe appointments to
Tagalog, and Korean language print media. Finally, the
applicants as needed.
second campaign featured out-of-home advertisements
4.Advise the program on the communications and
on billboards, transit shelters, and gas pump toppers. HCD
intentionally selected these locations to provide program
as content/materials and outreach targets.
information and awareness to eligible households most in
5.Advise the program on the fund disbursement
need and their landlords. HCD continues to work with the
design, best practices in delivery technology
local partner network to better tailor education and outreach solutions to geographically remote, linguistically
materials to communities most in need including indigenous,
or no broadband access and/or those without bank
accounts.
In late February, HCD began producing an ERAP awareness
In late February, these partners began helping applicants
toolkit to provide to program partners. The toolkit includes
access the application portal by providing the following
prerecorded radio advertisements, videos, social media posts,
programming:
and posters. Toolkit materials seek to inform eligible landlords
and eigible households of their eligibility for the program and
Outreach via email, public announcements, text
help them apply for assistance. Most toolkit materials are
available in California's main languages: English, Spanish, postings, etc.
Front door visits to applicants that requested an
Tagalog, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Korean. As of April 30,
appointment to assist with application completion.
2021, all Option A jurisdictions, all Option C jurisdictions,
Literature drops in neighborhoods/zip codes that
several utility companies, and over 100 community-based
are at high risk of eviction where the applicant rate
partners had received the toolkit. There are also materials
is low.
available for anyone to download and share at https://
In-person, phone, and virtual appointments with
housing.ca.gov/.
applicants as requested (launched week of April 12)
Webinars in English and in-language regarding the
Additionally, beginning in January, HCD started creating an
application process.
ERAP website landing page on the HousingIsKey website.
Technical assistance to help applicants complete
HCD designed the landing page to contain information about
applications.
the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program and the portal
Call Center that can make appointments for
for eligible individuals to apply to the California COVID-19
members of the public that would like to attend an
partner network in-person appointment.
Rent Relief Program. In addition, before the March 15 launch
date, HCD launched an eligibility quiz on the landing page
to help direct Option B and C applicants to their local
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
application for assistance before them, landlords also receive
approximately 102 community-based partners across the
an email containing programmatic information and inviting
state to provide the services noted above. These partners
them to apply. HCD has and will continue to work with
give culturally aware information and technical assistance to
landlord groups to ensure these communications are clear,
concise, and appropriately targeted.
based partners are ongoing. HCD recruits and activates
additional community-based organizations to respond to
ongoing programmatic outcomes, especially concerning
cultural communities
households most in need of assistance in partnership with
the urban intelligence organization UrbanFootprint. The data,
mapping, and analytics platform from UrbanFootprint helps
HCD and its Local Partner Network understand income and
unemployment shifts, underlying health conditions, economic
stress, rental property locations, and other demographics at
the state, city, and neighborhood levels. These data help HCD
identify areas with high levels of eviction risk and inform the
program's comprehensive education and outreach approach.
476,000 households in Option A and C jurisdictions at risk of
eviction. 93 percent of these households are within 25 miles
of a community-based partner organization.
Furthermore, on April 26, HCD and its partners launched an
SMS text service that allows applicants to provide required
documents through SMS texting. Inbound documents are
directed (via the text service) to an email inbox that is directly
accessed by the HCD rental assistance case management
team. HCD launched this service in partnership with the
United Way and its community-based partners to help reduce
and/or scanners, and related infrastructure.
The partners described above serve both eligible landlords
and tenant households. HCD has also held several webinars
in conjunction with landlord organizations to help eligible
landlords apply for relief. From January to May, HCD also
provided these partners with relevant communications
materials. These materials were made available to landlords
across the state through sources they are already familiar
with. Throughout April and May, case managers reviewing
tenant applications contacted landlords seeking cooperation
and educating landlords about the rental assistance
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
b.g.Challenges
As described above, HCD and its partners throughout the to locally administered programs. HCD’s outreach and
state were able to establish a new statewide program to
educational campaigns, in partnership with local partners’
help extremely vulnerable populations in less than 90 days
own campaigns, also seek to alleviate confusion.
involved overcoming
Challenge: Utility providers across the state were not
many challenges in varying levels of complexity. A few of
initially aware of how to coordinate with state and local
for other programs to leverage the solutions.
arrearages or even if they were required to do so.
1.Challenges HCD has Resolved
Resolution:
Challenge: To make ERAP relief available to renters most in
for coordination across all regions to gain consistent
need, HCD recognized that the application process needed
commitments from utility providers, particularly those that
to be very accessible in form and broad in its provisions
were not part of the same municipalities operating the
related to documentation evidence and eligibility, while
emergency rental assistance programs. By working with
the CPUC, BCSH Agency and HCD garnered the regulator’s
support directing the utility companies throughout California
Resolution: Before approving any applications for payment,
to cooperate, support, and provide arrears balance amounts
HCD teamed with several public and private entities to
connected with ERAP applications seeking utility payment
develop a coordinated fraud prevention approach. These
assistance.
entities verify applicant information against a variety of
sources. Taking lessons from similar emergency aid programs
2.Challenges HCD Continues to Address
that preceded it, HCD established internal pre-payment
Federal and state statutes governing emergency rental
review processes and post-payment audit processes with
parties both inside and outside of HCD. External entities
areas. First, SB 91 limits the ERAP payments made to landlords
to 80 percent of the rental arrears owed by a tenant, though
Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Department of the
the federal statute allows for full payment of rental arrears.
Military.
Challenge: The array of emergency rental assistance
options for administering their programs:
1.Option A: HCD administers the proportionate
works well to adapt program delivery to varying needs across
shares of state and federal funds on a jurisdiction’s
behalf in conformity with SB 91.
for applying caused confusion among tenants and landlords
2.Opt i on B: The jurisdiction administers its
seeking the proper entry point to start an application.
allocations of state and federal funds in conformity
with SB 91.
Resolution: HCD created a public website with simple
3.Option C: The jurisdiction administers its direct
questions and a searchable mapping tool to help renters
federal allocation in conformity with federal rules,
and HCD administers the proportionate share of
application. The website at https://housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/
allocated state funds on the jurisdiction’s behalf in
conformity with SB 91.
with local partner assistance locations. The site also provides
Challenge:
a dynamic map for tenants and landlords to learn “Which
for rental arrears payments have confused landlords and
Jurisdiction Do I Apply To?” By entering the residence address
added complexity to program operations. HCD continues to
or clicking on the map, users are directed to the appropriate
state or local jurisdiction that serves them. HCD has been
local jurisdictions related to the requirement for landlords to
updating the results frequently to keep up with changes
consider partial repayment of rent arrears to be “paid in full.”
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Some landlords have determined the repayment cap is based
on state rules and not federal, which creates confusion when
they believe ERAP to be a federally funded program.
Challenge: Jurisdictions electing to run separate local
programs in parallel – but not in conformity – with the state-
run program amplify the confusion about federal limits on
rent arrears compared to state limits. Landlords and renters
at the same address in such Option C jurisdictions may
of assistance available to them depending on whether they
contact the state or local program, the submittal date on their
application, and whether the tenant or landlord initiates the
application. Compounding the complexity of this challenge,
each of the Option C jurisdictions has a unique formula and
program based on application dates, income levels, and
applicant types.
Challenge: When a jurisdiction opts to run a program in
parallel with the state-run rental assistance program, both
organizations must take proactive steps to identify, isolate,
and resolve duplicate applications before either entity makes
a monetary award. Lacking such de-duplication processes
increases the programmatic risk of paying applicants in
adding steps to continually search for and isolate possible
duplicates, increases application processing time and delays
Challenge: Although the state statute, SB 91, was only signed
into law in late January 2021, it established an end date of
March 31, 2021, for consideration of eligible rent arrears. Given
that the state-administered program opened as required on
March 15, 2021, the actual timeframe of many applicants’
late rent payments can extend to April or May before HCD
or local jurisdictions’ programs can issue payments. SB 91
provides for partial payment of “prospective rent” to help
cover future months. However, applications submitted by
tenants or processed by the state and local programs after
April 1 are not eligible for “prospective” on-time payments for
deadline.
Resolutions in progress: HCD and its parent agency, BCSH,
Legislature, Treasury, and all local jurisdictions to create
practical, workable solutions for the challenges noted
above. Collaboration among all parties is helping identify
and establish approaches to address the varied needs and
priorities of renters, landlords, and utility providers across
California’s varied communities and demographics.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Appendices
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Statutory Basis for Report
(d) (1)
program, a report that provides programmatic performance metrics for funds administered pursuant to this chapter. The
$126,158,948.58 obligated for jurisdictions in the State-Administered Program (Option A) and $22,796,001.02
obligated for the State-Administered portion of Dual Implementation jurisdictions (Option C) as of 5/31/2021
$30,857,790.41 expended for jurisdictions in the State-Administered Program (Option A) and $1,329,115.00 expended
for the State-Administered portion of Dual Implementation jurisdictions (Option C) as of 5/31/2021
All expenditures applied to rent and utilities arrears.
No reallocation of funds as of 5/31/2021.
Please see Appendix III on page 29 and Appendix IV on page 30.
Please see Appendix IV on page 30 and Program Implementation Options on page 11 of this report.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
“Area Median Income (AMI)” – Income data that will be used to determine household eligibility and is aligned with the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Adjusted Median Family Income (HAMFI) as established for county and
metropolitan statistical areas and as updated annually.
“Expenditure (Expended)”– Shall mean a full and complete liquidation of funds.
“Large Jurisdiction” or “Jurisdiction” – A Locality with more than 200,000 in population that is eligible to receive funds directly
from Treasury.
“Small Jurisdiction” – A county and the incorporated cities within the counties with less than 200,000 in total population that
is not eligible to receive funds directly from Treasury.
premises but does not include liability for torts or damage to the property beyond ordinary wear and tear.
A of Title V of Division N of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260). Utility and home energy
costs include separately stated electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal, and energy cost, such as fuel oil.
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
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California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Allocation tables
Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds Emergency Rental Assistance Program Reservation Table Small Counties
(<200,000)
Counties and the Cities State Financial
that fall within them Assistance
ALPINE $ 81,501.34
AMADOR $ 2,869,655.61
CALAVERAS $ 3,313,834.29
COLUSA $ 1,555,455.56
DEL NORTE $ 2,007,719.41
EL DORADO $ 13,921,135.97
GLENN $ 2,049,661.19
HUMBOLDT $ 9,785,791.29
IMPERIAL $ 13,081,722.72
INYO $ 1,302,216.68
KINGS $ 11,040,579.82
LAKE $ 4,647,958.50
LASSEN $ 2,207,033.13
MADERA $ 11,357,272.80
MARIPOSA $ 1,241,866.71
MENDOCINO$6,262,320.25
MODOC $ 638,222.61
MONO $ 1,042,697.36
NAPA $ 9,943,596.36
NEVADA $ 7,201,209.89
PLUMAS $ 1,357,657.81
SAN BENITO $ 4,534,044.31
SHASTA $ 12,999,788.25
SIERRA $ 216,927.83
SISKIYOU $ 3,143,035.21
SUTTER $ 7,000,235.82
TEHAMA$4,698,346.39
TRINITY $ 886,841.40
TUOLUMNE $ 3,932,710.26
YUBA $ 5,678,961.23
Total $ 150,000,000.00
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Option A Jurisdictions
Federal Financial
Assistance State Financial
Administered Federal State Federal Local State Financial Assistance State
COUNTY/CitythroughStateAdmin8.5%Admin1.5%AssistanceAdmin10%
BUTTE $5,865,102.36 $553,926.33 $97,751.71 $7,101,462.92 $789,051.44
CONTRA COSTA $30,866,698.17 $2,915,188.16 $514,444.97 $37,373,382.09 $4,152,598.01
LOS ANGELES $144,066,069.63 $13,606,239.91 $2,401,101.16 $174,435,122.20 $19,381,680.25
Fontana$5,740,969.41$542,202.67$95,682.82$6,951,162.79$772,351.42
SAN LUIS OBISPO $7,575,643.53 $715,477.44 $126,260.73 $9,172,585.25 $1,019,176.14
SAN MATEO $20,512,391.94 $1,937,281.46 $341,873.20 $24,836,393.48 $2,759,599.28
SANTA CRUZ $7,310,787.30 $690,463.25 $121,846.45 $8,851,897.43 $983,544.16
TULARE $12,474,708.30 $1,178,166.90 $207,911.80 $15,104,370.30 $1,678,263.37
VENTURA $17,048,549.43 $1,610,140.78 $284,142.49 $20,642,374.83 $2,293,597.20
Oxnard $5,589,355.41 $527,883.57 $93,155.92 $6,767,588.61 $751,954.29
YOLO $5,900,263.11 $557,247.07 $98,337.72 $7,144,035.55 $793,781.73
Total COUNTY /
$262,950,538.59$24,834,217.54$4,382,508.97$318,380,375.45$35,375,597.29
City
Option B
Federal Financial
Assistance State Block Grant
(Includes Local Direct Financial State Block Grant Local State Block Grant
COUNTY / City Admin) Assistance Admin 8.5% State Admin 1.5%
ALAMEDA $29,648,131.00 $32,308,147.49 $3,051,325.04 $538,469.12
Fremont $7,168,619.00 $7,811,784.18 $737,779.62 $130,196.40
FRESNO $13,900,330.20 $15,147,461.31 $1,430,593.57 $252,457.69
Fresno $15,804,677.70 $17,222,665.94 $1,626,585.12 $287,044.43
KERN $15,343,270.80 $16,719,861.91 $1,579,098.07 $278,664.37
Bakersfield $11,421,298.00 $12,446,011.50 $1,175,456.64 $207,433.53
Long Beach $13,754,733.90 $14,988,802.17 $1,415,609.09 $249,813.37
LosAngeles$118,319,705.80$128,935,294.38$12,177,222.25$2,148,921.57
MARIN $7,695,346.50 $8,385,769.37 $791,989.33 $139,762.82
MONTEREY $12,905,387.40 $14,063,252.67 $1,328,196.09 $234,387.54
Anaheim $10,416,959.90 $11,351,564.70 $1,072,092.22 $189,192.74
Irvine $8,544,930.90 $9,311,578.05 $879,426.82 $155,192.97
SACRAMENTO $30,874,446.30 $33,644,487.13 $3,177,534.89 $560,741.45
Sacramento $15,270,933.50 $16,641,034.53 $1,571,653.26 $277,350.58
SAN DIEGO $48,759,661.70 $53,199,154.19 $5,024,364.56 $886,652.57
Chula Vista $8,161,123.90 $8,828,537.57 $833,806.33 $147,142.29
San Diego $42,333,563.00 $46,131,710.47 $4,356,883.77 $768,861.84
SAN JOAQUIN $13,362,958.80 $14,561,877.20 $1,375,288.40 $242,697.95
Stockton $9,297,024.90 $10,131,149.59 $956,830.79 $168,852.49
SONOMA $14,697,467.80 $16,016,117.71 $1,512,633.34 $266,935.30
STANISLAUS $9,973,927.30 $10,868,783.41 $1,026,496.21 $181,146.39
Modesto $6,398,150.80 $6,972,189.90 $658,484.60 $116,203.17
Total COUNTY / City
$464,052,649.10 $505,687,235.37 $47,759,350.01 $8,428,120.58
31 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Option C
Federal Financial State Financial
Federal Financial Assistance Local State Financial Assistance State Admin
COUNTY / City Assistance Admin 10% Assistance 10%
Oakland $11,587,287.33 $1,287,476.37 $14,029,881.44 $1,558,875.72
Santa Clarita $5,699,011.95 $633,223.55 $6,900,360.76 $766,706.75
MERCED $7,430,317.74 $825,590.86 $8,996,624.90 $999,624.99
ORANGE $59,018,900.67 $6,557,655.63 $71,460,054.23 $7,940,006.03
Santa Ana $8,892,352.17 $988,039.13 $10,766,855.35 $1,196,317.26
PLACER $10,658,711.61 $1,184,301.29 $12,905,562.52 $1,433,951.39
RIVERSIDE $51,540,497.73 $5,726,721.97 $62,405,207.87 $6,933,911.98
Moreno Valley $5,701,045.68 $633,449.52 $6,902,823.11 $766,980.34
Riverside $8,866,717.47 $985,190.83 $10,735,816.87 $1,192,868.54
SAN BERNARDINO $46,820,902.68 $5,202,322.52 $56,690,724.61 $6,298,969.40
San Bernardino $5,774,069.79 $641,563.31 $6,991,240.66 $776,804.52
SAN FRANCISCO $23,588,984.43 $2,620,998.27 $28,561,530.13 $3,173,503.35
SANTA BARBARA $11,947,671.63 $1,327,519.07 $14,466,234.60 $1,607,359.40
SANTA CLARA $24,244,783.38 $2,693,864.82 $29,355,571.05 $3,261,730.12
San Jose $27,341,765.91 $3,037,973.99 $33,105,395.93 $3,678,377.33
SOLANO $11,978,283.42 $1,330,920.38 $14,503,299.35 $1,611,477.70
Total COUNTY / City
$321,091,303.59 $35,676,811.51 $388,777,183.38 $43,197,464.82
32 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Summary of bifurcations between local
and state programs
Local Pro-Local Pro-
gram Open gram Close
Locality Transition DateDateDate
City and County of State to process rent Executed05/28/21
San Francisco arrears from 4/1/20 to the proposed split is for
the life of the funding.
https://sf.gov/renthelp
current and prospective
rents 4/1/2021 forward.
City of Moreno ValleyLocality to deploy federal Bifurcation transition is 7/1 Executedapprox
or 100% local expenditure, 3/19/2021
http://www.moval.org/
state will take over.
rentalrescue/
City of OaklandState to process tenants Executed04/01/2105/17/21
with household income the proposed split is for
https://www.oakland-
greater than or equal to the life of the funding.
ca.gov/resources/
30% Area Median Income
housing-resourc-
(AMI) and landlords unless
es-erap-emergen-
-
cy-rental-assistance
able Housing projects.
Local program to process
AMI < 30%.
City of RiversideLocality provides full as-Bifurcation transition is Executed03/09/21Prior to
sistance from 3/9 to 7/31 8/1 or until 100% local 5/26/21
https://www.riv-
State provides assistance expenditure, whichever
ersideca.gov/
after 7/31 through pro-
homelesssolutions/
gram close.
housing-authority/
riverside-rental-assis-
tance-program
City of San BernardinoLocality to provide full Bifurcation transition Executed11/1/2020
7/1/21.
assistance until 6/30/21.
http://sbcity.org/city-
hall/community_n_eco-
State to provide full assis-
nomic_development/
tance from 7/1/21 through
housing/eviction_pre-
close of program.
vention_program_.asp
33 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Local Pro-Local Pro-
gram Open gram Close
Locality Transition DateDateDate
City of San JoseState to provide full assis-State provides assistance Draft re-approx
tance until 4/30/2021 then through 4/30/2021, then ceived5/19/21 (thru
https://www.sanjoseca.
transition to local program state/local bifurcation be-Santa Clara
gov/your-government/
bifurcation in which state gins and operates through County)
assists all households with life of the program.
housing/covid-19-re-
income greater than 30%
sources/rental-assis-
tance
households with incomes
at or below 30% AMI.
City of Santa AnaLocality assists tenants Executed2/1/2021
with non-participating the proposed split is for
https://www.santa-ana.
landlords paying tenants the life of the funding.
org/covid19/rental-re-
a maximum assistance of
lief
$5,500. State will assist all
tenants with participating
landlords.
County of MercedLocality to assist tenants Executed3/15/2021
with an AMI of 50% or less. the proposed split is for
https://www.mer-
State will assist tenants the life of the funding.
cedcaa.com/v2/
with AMI greater than
wp-content/up-
50%.
loads/2020/08/
Covid19_Rent_Bro-
chure.docx.pdf
Orange CountyLocality to assist 100% 5/1/21, transition to the Executed2/1/20214/30/2021
until 4/30/21, then state state program.
https://www.ochealth-
program takes over.
info.com/about-hca/
-
dination/emergen-
cy-rental-assis-
tance-programhttps://
www.ochealthinfo.
com/about-hca/
-
tion/emergency-rent-
al-assistance-program
Placer CountyLocality to assist 100% 5/1/21, transition to the Executed3/22/20214/30/2021
until 4/30/21, then state state program.
https://renthelpplacer.
program takes over.
com/https://renthelp-
placer.com/
34 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Local Pro-Local Pro-
gram Open gram Close
Locality Transition DateDateDate
Riverside CountyLocality program until 7/1/21, transition to the Draft re-approx
6/30/21, then starting state program.ceived3/15/2021
https://www.unitedlift.
7/1/21, state program will
org
assist.
San Bernardino Locality to assist tenants Executed4/12/2021
Countywith an AMI of 50% or less. the proposed split is for
State will assist tenants the life of the funding.
https://sbcountycdha.
with AMI of greater than
com/community-de-
50%.
velopment-and-hous-
ing-department
Executed2/15/20215/8/2021
Santa Barbara CountyLocality to assist until
funds are exhausted. the proposed split is for
https://www.united-
Locality will provide state the life of the funding.
waysb.org/rent
3 days notice once funds
exhausted.
Santa Clara CountyState to provide full assis-State provides assistance Draft re-approx
tance until 4/30/2021 then through 4/30/2021, then ceived5/19/21
https://www.sccgov.
transition to local program state/local bifurcation be-
org/sites/covid19/pag-
bifurcation in which state gins and operates through
es/rental-assistance.
assists all households with life of the program.
aspx
income greater than 30%
households with incomes
at or below 30% AMI.
Solano CountyLocality to assist 100% Bifurcation transition will Executed4/22/2021
until 7/31/21, then 8/1/21 occur on 8/1/21 or when
https://www.ccyoso.
state takes over.the locality has expend-
org/housing
ed 100% of their funds,
Locality to accept appli-Transition to the state pro-Executed4/1/2021
City of Santa Clarita
cations until 4/30/2021 gram occurs on 5/1/21.
COVID-19 Rental Assis-
and process applications
tance Program | City
received.
of Santa Clarita, CA
Locality will redirect ap-
(santa-clarita.com)
plicants to state program
5/1/2021-forward.
35 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Recapture and Reallocation
At the time of this report’s publication, HCD had not recaptured or reallocated any funds.
36 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Local Partner Network (LPN)
Geographic coverage in Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4
County Partners County Partners County Partners
1824
217
465
133
322
1126
4122
445
1125
883
2113
574
31011
154
2464
5
37 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Language Partners Language Partners
38 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
Coverage of Local Partner Network compared to jurisdiction boundaries and eviction risk insights
39 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
CPUC Support for State Rental Assistance Program
STATE OF CALIFORNIA GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
505 VAN NESS AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-3298
April 15, 2021
VIA E-MAIL
Erik Jacobson Tara Kaushik
Director, Regulatory Relations Managing Director, Regulatory Relations
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Southern California Edison Company
77 Beale Street, Rm. 2343 601 Van Ness Ave, Suite 2030
San Francisco, CA 94105 San Francisco, CA 94102
ebj1@pge.com Tara.kaushik@sce.com
Pooja Kishore, Regulatory Affairs Manager Keith Switzer, VP of Reg Affairs
PacifiCorp Bear Valley Electric Service
825 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 2000 Golden State Water Company
Portland, Oregon 97232 630 E Foothill Blvd
pooja.kishore@pacificorp.com San Dimas, CA 91773
KSwitzer@gswater.com
Valerie Ontiveros, Regulatory Manager
Southwest Gas Corporation Raymond J. Czahar
5241 Spring Mountain road Chief Financial Officer
Las Vegas, NV 89193 West Coast Gas Company
Valerie.ontiveros@swgas.com 9203 Beatty Drive
Sacramento, CA 95826
westgas@aol.com
Edward Jackson
Director, Rates and Regulatory Affairs Shivani Sidhar
Liberty Utilities Director – Regulatory Affairs
933 Eloise Avenue SDG&E and SoCalGas (Sempra)
th
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 488 8 Avenue
edward.jackson@libertyutilities.com San Diego, CA 92101
Ssidhar1@semprautilities.com
Michael Lamond, CFO/COO
Alpine Natural Gas
15 St. Andrews Road #7
Valley Springs, CA 95252
mike@alpinenaturalgas.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
April 15, 2021
Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Page 2
To: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San
Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Gas Company, Liberty Utilities,
Pacific Power, Bear Valley Electric Service, Southwest Gas Corporation, West Coast
Gas Company, and Alpine Natural Gas:
Subject: Direction to Conduct Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental
Assistance Program
On December 27, 2020, the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed into law,
establishing the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and authorizing allocations
of funds to states, local governments, tribal communities, and territories to assist renters with unpaid
rent and utility bills accrued between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. California Senate Bill 91
(2021) established California’s program for administering and distributing rental assistance funds,
authorizing the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to
administer the funds in accordance with state and federal law, and providing a framework for cities,
counties, and tribes that received a direct allocation of funds from the U.S. Treasury to implement
ERAP funding in partnership with HCD.
Before distributing funds, HCD and partner cities, counties, and tribes must perform due diligence
to validate customer information. The HCD application process requires customers requesting
ERAP relief to consent to HCD providing their submitted information to other entities for the
purpose of validating eligibility. HCD has requested that IOUs validate customer application
information for eligibility purposes once provided by HCD pursuant to the customer’s request for
ERAP relief.
This letter serves as a notification that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) plans to
take action to enable validation of utility customer information between the utilities and HCD and
its partner cities, counties, and tribes to facilitate HCD’s administration of its ERAP for utility
arrearages.
Specifically, the CPUC authorizes each IOU and SMJU to validate utility customer information of
applicants for ERAP, upon HCD’s request or upon request of a partner city, county, or tribe, for the
purpose of administering relief. The data shall not be shared or used for any other purpose. Each
IOU and SMJU should implement the validation activities described in this letter immediately.
While the HCD Rental Relief Program is not a CPUC program, the program is an important
opportunity to provide much-needed relief to the utility debts of a significant number of
Californians. Between February 2020 and February 2021, the large energy IOUs reported an increase
in total residential unpaid bills from approximately $500 million to more than $1.3 billion in total. Of
that amount, nearly half is owed by customers enrolled in income-qualified rate assistance programs
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA).
In response to this urgent need, the CPUC recently opened a new proceeding, Rulemaking (R.) 21-
02-014, to address the increase in utility customer arrearages. In that proceeding, the Administrative
Law Judge has emphasized the importance of leveraging ERAP funds to maximize their benefit for
41 | HousingIsKey.com
California Department of Housing and Community Development June 4, 2021
April 15, 2021
Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Page 3
California ratepayers, and has specifically directed IOUs to undertake actions to (1) confirm that
utility customers can access the resources that have been made available, and (2) expose any barriers
to accessing the HCD ERAP relief funding so that barriers may be promptly addressed.
Given the scale of the problem and the need for immediate relief, utilities should dedicate resources
to work rapidly to validate the information provided by HCD and its partner cities, counties, and
tribes.
I intend to request ratification by the full Commission of the actions directed by this letter at a
future Commission business meeting.
Sincerely,
Rachel Peterson
Executive Director
42 | HousingIsKey.com