SB DIRECT: 909-384-7272
Eviction Prevention Program Overview
All renters in the City of San Bernardino who meet the eligibility requirements may receive onetime rental assistance under the Eviction Prevention Program. Eligible households can receive assistance to cover past due rents. Funds are paid directly to the landlord. Please review the FAQ at the bottom of this page for a description of program eligibility. The application will allow you to upload your eligibility documentation. Information contained in this application will be provided to the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) for processing.
Here is what you need
1. A form of identification
2. A copy of your lease agreement
3. Proof of income of all family members dated within 60 days (establishing that your household is low-income)
4. Documentation demonstrating a COVID-19 related impact.
5. Notice of Rent Arrears or Demand Letter or invoice from the landlord
You will not be eligible for assistance without providing the above eligibility documentation. A complete application, including uploaded eligibility documentation, is REQUIRED to be considered for assistance.
You will NOT be able to submit an application without uploading the required eligibility documentation.
You must be a renter within the City limits for the City of San Bernardino. Many people live in a county pocket surrounded by the City - if you are not sure, please click on the link for the City Boundaries for San Bernardino
Forms
Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
1.) What is the Eviction Prevention Program?
The Eviction Prevention Program provides one-time support in direct rental assistance.
2.) How long will this program last?
The program will begin in November 2020 and continue through June 30, 2022 or until funds are exhausted.
3.) How do I receive rental assistance?
To be considered for rental assistance, you must complete an application. An application is not complete, and will not be reviewed, until all eligibility documentation is provided.
4.) Where can I apply and complete an application?
Interested residents can visit the applicant link above to apply.
5.) Who is eligible to receive rental assistance?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.
Persons in Family | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Income Limits ($) | >42,200 | >48,200 | >54,250 | >60,250 | >65,100 | >69,900 | >74,750 | >79,550 |
6.) What eligibility documentation do I need to provide?
7.) What is a lease agreement?
A lease is a formal written contract between the landlord and tenant.
8.) What form of identification is acceptable?
Any government issued identification, including a driver’s license, passport, permanent resident card, etc.
9.) How do I document a loss of income due to COVID?
Documentation can include:
(a) A letter from an employer or other source of income citing COVID-19 as a reason for reduced work hours, termination, furlough, or other substantial reduction in pay.
(b) Employer payroll checks or payroll stubs showing a reduction in pay following the COVID-19 outbreak.
(c) Documentation showing payment of substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses caused by COVID-19.
(d) Documentation showing the closure of a school or childcare facility where a child in the tenant’s care would otherwise be present during the tenant’s normally working hours which, as a result, has caused the tenant to work reduced hours.
(e) Any other objectively verifiable documentation to demonstrate a substantial hardship or inability to make timely rent payments caused by COVID-19.
10.) What is proof of income and what are the acceptable forms?
Proof of income is required to determine that the household meets the income eligibility requirement under the program guidelines. To be eligible, households must be low-income.
Low-income to extremely low-income is defined as individuals or families who earn 80% or below of the County area’s median income. Acceptable forms include:
11.) How do I submit all eligibility documentation?
Upload your documentation upon completion of the online application. The application form will guide you in uploading all required documents. If you complete the application but till have documents to submit, wait until a program representative contacts you. you will then be able to submit the documents directly to the program representative. Do not submit the documents by re-applying. If you reapply, it will delay the processing of your application.
12.) If I meet all the eligibility requirements does this guarantee that I will receive rental assistance?
No. If you meet all the general eligibility requirements, this guarantees that your application will be considered for funding. Funding is contingent on cooperation from your landlord and/or property management company representative.
13.) How much am I eligible to receive?
This program provides one-time support in rental assistance. Rental assistance is intended to cover 100% of the total passed due rent, not to exceed 6 consecutive months, up to $3,500 per household.
14.) What if I am currently behind on rent and I am also unable to pay next month’s rent? Will this program be able to cover future rent?
No. Funding for this program is limited to only cover past due rent i.e. unpaid balance.
15.) Can I apply more than once?
16.) Will this program cover my rent from before March 2020?
No.
17.) Does the landlord receive one payment or monthly payments?
The Landlord will receive one payment, equaling the total cost of your unpaid balance (up to $3,500).
18.) How long does this process take after submitting my application?
Applications will be processed on a rolling basis. If all documents are submitted and your landlord has cooperated, we expect processing to take no more than 2 weeks.
IMMIGRATION RELATED QUESTIONS
19.) Can I receive assistance if there is an undocumented member in my household? Can I receive assistance if I am undocumented?
Yes. Assistance will be provided without regard to immigration status.
20.) Will receiving housing assistance affect me if I am applying for a green card (lawful permanent residence)? I heard there is a "public charge" rule, which makes it harder to get a green card if you use certain benefits.
No. One-time housing assistance is not considered in a public charge test.
21.) Does public charge apply to everyone?
No. The public charge ground of inadmissibility does not apply to many people, including those applying for Temporary Protected Status, asylum, refugee status, U visas or T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile status or other “humanitarian” immigrants. Public charge does not apply when LPRs are seeking to become citizens. People who already have their green cards (LPR status) are not subject to a public charge inadmissibility test unless they leave the country for more than 180 days and seek to reenter.
If you have questions about your own situation, you should consult an immigration attorney.
Public Charge Fact sheet, English: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Public-Charge-Does-This-Apply-To-Me-February-2020-ENGLISH.pdf