Monterey to review stricter rules for Rental Assistance Program
MONTEREY – Updates may be coming for the Rental Assistance Program in Monterey, aimed at tightening eligibility criteria, preventing fraud and focusing on renters most at risk of eviction.
The Monterey City Council will hear the proposed changes, which includes meeting new income and asset limits, at its Tuesday meeting.
Applicants to the assistance program would have to earn below 80% of Monterey County’s area median income and hold no more than $5,000 in liquid or real property assets. They would also be required to show proof of housing instability, such as a three-day eviction notice, job loss or medical emergency.
The updated program would also exclude applicants with excessive debt, or those living in residences with more bedrooms than occupants. Utility help would be limited strictly to essential services: water, sewer, gas and electricity. Internet, cable and streaming bills will no longer be covered.
There are no changes to the amount each household can receive, which is up to $5,000 in rental assistance per year, with a three-year cap for repeat applicants.
The proposed changes also introduce stricter fraud prevention rules. Applicants would have to sign under penalty of perjury. If fraud is discovered, they will be disqualified from future aid and referred for possible prosecution. Landlords who receive money through false applications will have to repay the city.
If passed, the revised rules will go into effect immediately.
The program was created to provide local support after federal pandemic-era aid ended. As of June 26, the city distributed more than $304,000 to 94 households since the program launched in April 2024. Fifteen of those households were facing eviction or utility shutoffs. Another 28 applications were denied: 15 for ineligibility, and 13 for submitting fraudulent documents.
According to city data, the majority of recipients so far have been low-income residents. Of the 94 households served, 57% qualified as acutely low to very low income.
Demand for the program has been high. Since April, staff has logged nearly 500 calls, including over 100 from Salinas and dozens more from Seaside, Marina and other Peninsula cities. Many of the callers were Spanish-only speakers, according to Tuesday’s agenda.
The program remains city-funded and available only to Monterey residents. Monterey’s Rental Assistance Program is currently the only ongoing rental assistance program in the county.
The Monterey City Council will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Monterey City Hall, 580 Pacific St. The meeting will be streamed online and can be participated in via Zoom at https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1607729333
