RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO UPDATE THE GUIDELINES FOR THE MONTHLY SENIOR RENT SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND INTRODUCE AN EMERGENCY UTILITY AND PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, On October 25, 2022, City staff presented a proposal to update the guidelines for the Monthly Senior Rent Subsidy Program as well as introduce a Senior Medical and Utility Emergency Assistance Program for Commerce senior residents; and WHEREAS, the City first established a Senior Rent Subsidy program in the mid-1980s and has assisted hundreds of Commerce seniors to remain housed; and WHEREAS, Commerce Seniors will benefit from receiving additional financial and emergency support to supplement the annual increases in the Average Fair Market Rent in Los Angeles County and assist in unforeseen costs on medical and utility bills; and WHEREAS, City staff is recommending an additional $44,000 for the existing Monthly Rental Assistance Program and appropriate $8,000 from the Community Benefit Fund generated by the Commercial Cannabis Program to fund the Senior Medical and Utility Emergency Assistance Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and incorporates them herein as findings and as a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. The City Council finds and determines that the expenditure of Community Benefit Fund monies for rental assistance subsidies and medication and utility reimbursements to eligible and qualified seniors residing in Commerce, shall directly and specifically benefit and protect senior residents Section 3. Approval of Amendment to Increase Monthly Senior Rent Subsidy. The City Council hereby approves amending the City of Commerce Monthly Senior Rent Subsidy Program by granting eligibility for senior residents living at or below 50% AMI and having the maximum eligibility amount increased from $300 to $400 as follows:
City of Commerce Senior Rent Subsidy Program
1 Senior Person Household
2 Senior Person Household
3 Senior People Household
Acutely Low
(10% AMI)
$400
$500
$600
Extremely Low
(30% AMI)
$350
$450
$550
Very Low
(50% AMI)
$300
$400
$500
Section 4. Approval of Amendment to the Eligibility Guidelines. The City Council hereby approves amending the City of Commerce Monthly Senior Rent Subsidy and apply the same guidelines to the Medical Utility Emergency Reimbursement Program for Commerce Senior residents to be amended as follows:
Eligibility Guidelines
Maintain a minimum of a three (3) year residency within the City of Commerce.
Must be at least sixty (60) years of age starting on the day the individual applies.
According to the annual Housing and Development income limits report, household income for an individual cannot exceed 50% of AMI income limits.
Applicants must demonstrate proof of residency for at least three (3) years in the City of Commerce.
Households cannot receive assistance from Section 8 or any other State or Federal housing assistance programs.
Every member of your household must be sixty (60) years of age or older and have lived in the City of Commerce for at least three (3) years.
Applicants that are 75 years of age or older will be given priority.
Only one application per household, households with more than one senior may apply jointly.
Section 5. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Resolution for and on behalf of the City of Commerce.
Section 6. This Resolution shall take full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of October 2022. ________________________
Oralia Y. Rebollo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________
Lena Shumway, City Clerk
2 Reso #
CC Mtg: June 14, 2022