Orange County California eviction and rehousing help.
Programs available in Orange County include eviction assistance as well as Rapid Rehousing, and both are targeted at ending homeless in the area. Low income tenants and families facing an emergency are given priority to any resources available. The solutions for keeping people in an apartments range from grants to free motel vouchers as well as legal aid, which is another form of eviction defense.
There is not one agency or government organization in the area that offers this type of help. Instead, many groups in cities such as Anaheim and Huntington Beach (as well as others) all partner together to end homelessness. Eviction assistance can be provided by local charities, apartment communities, grants from CalWORKs, non-profits and even landlords.
Types of eviction assistance programs
The terms and conditions may change on an annual basis, as well as funding levels. The services are generally run by Continuum of Care (CoC) affiliated agencies in Orange County California, and the money for certain expenses (such as rent or energy bill arrears) will often be provided by the Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program.
Due mostly to the result of the high price of housing in the region, a small financial setback can cause a family to fall behind. Both low to moderate income renters may struggle from time to time. When this occurs, many landlords will not hesitate to issue them an eviction notice. Some of the solutions that are available include the following.
The first step of the process will include an assessment done by an agency such as South County Outreach or others. The applicant will go through a one on one case management evaluation, when all aspects of their personal financial situation will be addressed. This is a critical step as eviction help will generally only be provided to those applicants that can gain stability in a short order.
Financial help is very limited. The ESG grant program is what is used to pay for this. When money is offered, there can be funds for paying electric or water bills to stop a shut-off of service. Of course, when possible, Orange County agencies may also help prevent homelessness by addressing any rent that is arrears. Other aid can cover additional expenses that the tenant has.
Communication with a landlord can also help prevent homelessness. Some landlords will discuss options, and attorneys can provide mediation for this. If it works for all parties, a landlord of a private housing unit may temporarily reduce rent so the tenant can catch up. Or a utility or water company that operates in Anaheim or Orange County California may enter the customer into a payment plan, which can also potentially postpone an eviction.
Many evictions can be stopped due using legal aid. This is especially effective when the pay or quit notice has been issued illegally. Or if the apartment needs repairs or the home was unsafe to live in. There are law firms that can provide advice and even represent the client in eviction court. If and when needed, a lawyer can even decide to sue a landlord in Orange county California to give the tenant more time.
CalWORKs can also be used. There is a Homeless Assistance component of it in the county. However, a cash grant can only be used once per lifetime by a family. CalWorks or TANF can also pay for a motel too. In a very small number of cases, exceptions can be made to provide additional eviction help to the applicant.
The eviction prevention prevention programs will try to keep the family or individual in their home. It will provide renters of all backgrounds, whether they are seniors, disabled, or single mothers, with the assistance then need for short and long term stability. When there are never any promises to anyone receiving help, the agencies will do their best. Or they will offer a referral instead.
Orange County California rehousing
The Continuum of Care as well as charities such as Pathways of Hope (and many others) try to rehouse families. A number of tools are used for this, ranging from motel vouchers to placement into shelters or transitional housing. With the lack of affordable housing and apartments in the region, this process can be very difficult.
Another barrier to rehousing is when a tenant has an eviction on their record or poor credit scores. Also, challenges such as finding an affordable home for immigrants or families living close to poverty level is a challenge. With fair market rents being so high in the county, Anaheim, and many other communities, just one crisis can cause a person to be evicted. The rehousing process does its best to ensure this will never occur again by also emphasizing case management.
When it comes to locating a property, the family may be given a motel voucher first while this process goes on. When the client is in the hotel/motel (or a shelter in Orange County), case management is also used to help the resident enter into a lease agreement with a local landlord.
The thought is that is a resident can access benefits such as child care, food, or even health insurance, this will free up their income to pay the future rent or security deposit costs. Those savings, when combined with the fund from Emergency Solutions Grants, will help the family get off on the right footing in their new apartment. Case management is also effective at preventing a future eviction due to financial mismanagement.
Phone number for homeless prevention in Orange County CA
While there may be some assistance for walk-in clients, most of the Orange County California agencies will require an appointment to be made to apply for eviction help. This is also the case for rehousing in the region. For more information, dial 949-646-4357.
|
