Council Chamber,
580 Pacific St.
Monterey, California
Monterey City Council
Special Meeting Agenda
Council Study Session
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
4:00 PM – 6:00 P.M.
City Council
Tyller Williamson, Mayor
Kim Barber, Councilmember,
District 1
Gino Garcia, Councilmember
Alan Haffa, Councilmember
Ed Smith, Councilmember,
District 2
City Manager
Hans Uslar
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING:
Written comment: Members of the public may submit comment(s) to [email protected] until ½ hour before the start of the meeting. These messages are not read aloud during the meeting but are made available to the meeting body and public at https://monterey.org/submitted-comments. All comments received become part of the record.
In-Person: Please see the meeting location listed above. Wearing a mask is recommended and encouraged.
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To “raise your hand,” dial *9. Once called upon, dial *6 to unmute o Need help using or updating Zoom? Read our Zoom Meeting Instructions (PDF) This meeting will also stream live for viewing only on youtube.com/cityofmonterey (10 second delay) and on Comcast Channel 25 (up to 90-second delay).
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES AND TIME LIMITS:
The total amount of time allocated for public comment on a particular issue and for each individual speaker is generally as follows:
1. Up to three minutes per speaker.
2. For regular City Council meetings, there are two 15-minute public comment periods, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Speakers may only comment during one session.
3. The total time allocated for public comment:
a. Items pulled from the consent agenda – 15 minutes each item b. Public Appearance items – 30 minutes each item
c. Public Hearing items – 30 minutes each item
d. Closed session items – 15 minutes each item
At the time an item is considered, the Mayor will ask those attending the meeting in person to line up at the podium or raise their hands, and for remote participants to use *9 on the telephone or the “raise hand” function in Zoom, if they wish to address the City Council. The maximum amount of time for each person to speak and the total amount of time allotted for each item will be determined based on the number of people indicating an interest in speaking and the amount of business to be conducted on the agenda. In exceptional circumstances and when necessary to ensure a full opportunity for public input, the Mayor may, with the legislative body’s consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt. Code section 84308), any party to a permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the Council is required to disclose on the record any contribution, including aggregated contributions, of more 2/28/2024 4:00:00 PM
2 than $250 made by the party or the party's agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official. Participants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as well. The disclosure must include the name of the party, participant, or agent, and any other person making the contribution; the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made.
CALL TO ORDER
STUDY SESSION
Study Session items are used to provide information to the City Council and answer their questions to clarify issues. Study Sessions provide a setting for informal discussions between staff, consultants, board, commission,committee members and the City Council regarding specific programs, projects or policies. The Council does not take formal action on the items.
1. Review Monterey Rental Assistance Program Guidelines (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
ADJOURNMENT
Writings distributed for discussion or consideration on these matters within 72 hours prior to the meeting, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.5, are available at: monterey.org/submitted-comments and in the City Manager’s Office at 580 Pacific St., Room 1, Monterey, CA 93940 during regular business hours.
Information distributed to the Council at the Council meeting becomes part of the public record. Members of the public who submit written public comment on an agenda item may be subject to the Levine Act which requires disclosure of campaign contributions of more than $250 to an officer of the City within the preceding 12 months.
CITY OF MONTEREY'S 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES:
Voicemail: (831) 646-3799 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.monterey.org INTERPRETATION: The Monterey City Council invites and encourages public participation at its meetings. Requests for language interpretation may be made by contacting the City Clerk at [email protected] or 831-646-3935. The City Clerk will make every effort to accommodate requests for interpreter assistance. Requests should be made as soon as possible in advance of any meeting of the City Council. The City is committed to addressing language interpretation requests swiftly in order to maximize public participation.
ACCESSIBILITY: The City of Monterey is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs and activities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or (831) 646-3935. Notification 30 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]. Later requests will be accommodated to the extent feasible. For communication-related assistance, dial 711 to use the California Relay Service (CRS) to speak to City offices. CRS offers free text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you require a hearing amplification device to attend a meeting, dial 711 to use CRS to talk to the City Clerk's Office at (831) 646-3935 to coordinate use of a device.
Upcoming city meetings are listed at http://isearchmonterey.org More information is available by calling (831) 646-3935
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council
Agenda Report
№08/22
FROM: Kimberly Cole, AICP, Community Development Director Prepared By: Anastacia Wyatt, Housing Manager
SUBJECT: Review Monterey Rental Assistance Program Guidelines (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council review the Draft Monterey Rental Assistance Program (MRAP) Guidelines and provide input. Since this is a Study Session, staff will return to the Council in March for consideration and approval of the guidelines.
VALUE DRIVERS:
Support efforts and policies that provide equitable access to affordable housing in Monterey and the region.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The City Council would like to move forward with the Monterey Rental Assistance Program (MRAP). This program would provide rental assistance resources in the amount of $200,000 to members of the community in need through an application to the housing division. This program would be consistent with the City Council’s vision and strategic initiative of “Working to improve the quality of life of our residents.”
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT (LEVINE ACT) APPLIES: No FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
City Council has allocated $200,000 of City General Funds in Fiscal Year 2023-24 toward rental assistance.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The City of Monterey determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)(CCR, Title 14, Chapter 3 (“CEQA Guidelines), Article 20, Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or any reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, Date: 2/28/2024
Item No.: 1.
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 1, Packet Page 3 this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council can determine to make changes to the draft MRAP Guidelines.
DISCUSSION:
In response to ongoing housing challenges in the community, the City of Monterey proposes a new 2024 Monterey Rental Assistance Program to provide rental assistance to eligible households that are faced with housing instability issues. Since the pilot program will be funded by General Fund dollars, the Program would not be prescribed by federal or state pass-through regulations. This approach will allow the City Council to customize the program to best fit the needs of renters in Monterey.
Previous City Rental Assistance programs have provided financial relief for members of the Monterey community. As the first program of its kind in the county, the City of Monterey launched an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in April 2020 spending almost $1 million (assisting 162 households) in the City’s housing program income funds in response to financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the City of Monterey administered the ERAP funds totaling approximately $1.25 million on behalf of the United Way of Monterey County, benefiting 128 households. Combined, the two programs benefited 290 households.
The previous programs were bound to federal and state regulations, such as income requirements. This proposed program utilizes City general funds and can provide more flexible assistance and program requirements.
Throughout the month of February, the City’s Housing Office hosted a series of community outreach events, as well as conducted an online and paper survey to gather information on how the City of Monterey can help renters with housing costs and make the most positive impact in the community. To date, the City has received over 130 survey responses. The City encouraged renters and property managers to participate in both the survey and in-person drop-in sessions, promoting the events through media releases, e-mail blasts, social media, and a postcard mailer to all postal patrons. City staff held listening sessions with non-profit agencies that assist clients with housing, financial assistance, and counseling services, and property managers to determine what needs their renters are experiencing regarding rental assistance.
City staff met with ECHO Fair Housing to learn about the renter assistance programs they are offering in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the programs’ successes, challenges, and recommendations. Outreach events have included: the Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers’ Market on February 6th and 13th and drop-in sessions at Hilltop Park Center on Wednesday, February 7th, Laguna Grande Park on Sunday February 12th, El Estero Park Center on Monday February 12th, and Montecito Park on February 18th. These sessions were posted on social media, the Monterey County Weekly, and the City’s website.
Additional outreach meetings are planned on February 29th at the Monterey Sports Center, March 4th at San Carlos Beach, and March 6th at Monterey Peninsula College.
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 2, Packet Page 4 The survey available to the public focuses on key program requirements that were considered in the draft rental assistance guidelines. Major considerations for the program include the total amount of funding available to each participant, income levels, what type of assistance can be provided to participants, how often should the resource be provided, program prioritization, and eligibility. The draft guidelines also recommend that applicants receive funding only one time in the fiscal year. The following details information regarding the responses received to date.
Preliminary Survey Results
The following summary of key questions and responses from the public on the survey are provided below. As of February 16, 2024, the City has received over 130 responses.
Question 1- Program Focus The focus for the rental assistance program was ranked in the following order by importance:
Assistance to secure or maintain housing;
Financial assistance to prevent homelessness;
Assistance due to loss or change in employment or other catastrophic events; Eviction prevention; and
Housing relocation and stabilization.
Question 2- How to Use the Funds- Respondents stated that rental assistance funds could be used for the following by importance:
Deposit assistance;
Covering rent increases;
Financial assistance;
Short-term rental assistance;
Rental arrears (back rent owed); and
Application fees.
Question 3- Program Eligibility:
Current residents of the City of Monterey should be prioritized (56.9%); Supporting both residents and employees was supported at (25.0%); Employees of businesses located in Monterey regardless of their city of residents was supported by (9.5%); and
Other was supported at (8.6%).
Question 4- Program Priority for Recipients:
Based on urgency (66.1%);
First come first served (21.7%); and
Other (12.2%);
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 3, Packet Page 5 Question 5- Income Levels:
Low Income and below (56.5%);
Median Income and below (28.7%);
Moderate Income and below (7.8%); and
Above Moderate-Income (7.0%).
Question 6: Total Amount of Rental Assistance:
Up to $5,000 (32.7%);
Up to $10,000 (24.8%);
Up to $3,000 (23.9%); and
No limit (18.6%).
Question 7: What Should Rental Assistance Cover:
Only a portion of the rent (35.1%);
Any expense necessary (23.7%);
The entire rent (17.5%);
Other (15.8%); and
Only the amount of the rent increase (7.9%).
Question 8-How Often Should an Applicant be Eligible to Receive Rental Assistance:
Receiving rental assistance multiple times (60.2%); and Just one time (39.8%).
Question 9- Should Rental Assistance be Contingent Upon Requiring Recipients to Receive Information/Education from the City of Monterey Regarding Housing Resources:
Strongly agree (38.9%);
Agree (33.6%);
Neutral (23.9%);
Disagree (1.8%); and
Strongly Disagree (1.8%).
Question 10-Should the Rental Assistance Program Offer Services Such as Financial Counseling/Problem Solving:
Strongly Agree (43.9%);
Agree (40.4%);
Neutral (11.4%);
Disagree (2.6%); and
Strongly Disagree (1.7%).
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 4, Packet Page 6 Question 11-Should Rental Assistance Funds be Utilized for One-Time Legal Services to Resolve Tenant/Landlord Issues:
Agree (31.6%);
Strongly Agree (25.4%);
Neutral (21.9%);
Strongly Disagree(12.3%); and
Disagree (8.8%).
Best Practices with Rental Assistance Programs
The City reviewed best practices for rental assistance programs and lessons learned. Staff reviewed other documents, including the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Best Practices for State and Local Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, January 11, 2021, as well as discussions with non-profit organizations, and HUD guidance on rental assistance. Best practices include the following:
Pay landlords directly;
Select eligible tenants for assistance;
Provide counseling if requested;
Residents need to provide demonstrated risk of housing instability; Write program information and applications in simple language; Provide program information in multiple languages;
Provide multiple ways for tenants to submit applications and provide intake assistance; Provide rental assistance to households with the lowest incomes (less than 30% of AMI) These renters typically have minimal financial support and are most at risk of eviction and homelessness;
Target emergency rental assistance to areas with high shares of housing instability, job loss, and those in the community who have been marginalized; Provide multiple types of assistance, including rental assistance, rental arrears; and Reevaluate rental assistance.
City staff reviewed the City’s Public Review Draft 2023-2031 of the Housing Element, Appendix D, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH). Based on the AFFH study, the City of Monterey 2018 ESRI Diversity Index shows that many areas of the City of Monterey are relatively racially and ethnically integrated.
The most diverse neighborhoods are on the eastern side of the City in Villa Del Monte, Del Monte Grove/Laguna Grande, and Casanova Oak Knoll neighborhoods. Areas of low diversity are concentrated in the Monterey Vista, Deer Flats, Aguajito, and Fisherman Flats neighborhoods.
The neighborhoods with lower diversity are characterized as mostly white, but these neighborhoods are a small sum of the total area of the City.
Based on the AFFH, the Downtown and Old Town neighborhoods have more than 20% of children under 18 years in female-headed households. Female-headed households may experience more discrimination in housing and have lower incomes and less choice in their Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 5, Packet Page 7 housing selection. Nine percent (9%) of female single-parent family households lived below the poverty level.
The AFFH also identified three areas with concentration of low or moderate income (LMI) individuals. HUD defines an LMI area as a census tract or block group where over 51% of the households have an annual income that is less than 80% area median income (AMI), based on HUD definitions. There are four LMI areas in the City: portions of Old Town, Downtown, Oak Grove, and Del Monte neighborhoods. The downtown LMI area is also a census tract identified as having an overconcentration of Female Households with Children Under 18 Years.
This program has limited funding and in order to stretch the limited funding for rental assistance, the City may want to consider limiting the amount of assistance to a certain dollar amount. The draft guidelines are written to not exceed assistance to one applicant in each unit with a maximum of $5,000. If the City provides a maximum of $5,000 per applicant, the City would be able to assist approximately 40 applicants. If the City provides a maximum of $10,000 per applicant, the City would be able to assist 20 applicants. If the City provides a maximum of $3,000, the City would be able to assist approximately 67 applicants. The draft guidelines are written to allow for an additional $3,000 for additional support if needed, such as one-time legal assistance and financial counseling. If Council approves the draft guidelines, as written, theoretically less applicants would be served if support in addition to maximum rental assistance is provided up to $8,000 per applicant. It is unlikely that each applicant would need additional support; however, that must also be factored into the overall calculation. The following Assistance Amount Table details the number of people who can be helped with maximum assistance provided to a certain number of people.
Assistance Amount Scenarios
Amount of Assistance Number Served Number Served if additional $3,000 provided for supports
$3,000 67 33
$5,000 40 25
$10,000 20 15
A best practice to consider in this program is to allow for other assistance that may be necessary for each individual case. Staff recommends that any additional assistance, beyond rental assistance be capped at $3,000 per applicant. This may include legal assistance and housing counseling services. Other best practices include partnering with key organizations.
City staff spoke to United Way Monterey County and have credentials to log into United Way’s Smart Referral Network and 2-1-1 to ensure coordination on calls to connect renters to emergency rental assistance. The City recommends contracting with ECHO Fair Housing to provide legal and counseling services needed in addition to rental assistance. ECHO is willing and able to provide this assistance and has an attorney on hand. The City may try to contract with mediators who could also assist with tenant/landlord needs.
City staff will work with landlords and request that landlords consider following unit inspections, if necessary, consider forgiving back rent not covered by the program, consider accepting a fraction (e.g.: 80% of rent as payment-in-full, waiving late fees, and not moving forward with an eviction for a specified length of time. Staff would request and negotiate these requests of Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 6, Packet Page 8 landlords with each individual situation; however, compliance by landlords would be requested and not a requirement for payment.
The Draft Program Guidelines allow for the following to be paid:
Deposit Assistance
Housing relocation and stabilization
Short-term rental assistance
Covering rent increases
Delinquent rent/rental arrears
Financial Assistance (Paying another cost to assist with rent payment) Application Fees
The Draft guidelines require the following of applicants:
Live or Work in the City of Monterey
Experience a loss of income due to a change of employment or experience a catastrophic event (such as divorce, loss of a spouse, medical emergency, etc.) Be able to provide a lease agreement or letter confirming tenancy from landlord History of making rent payments
Make less than 120% of Area Median Income (the below AMI chart will be updated annually based on State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Income Limits for Monterey County)
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 7, Packet Page 9 State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) 2023 Income Limits, Monterey County
The Draft Guidelines would assist up to ten (10) qualified applicants per month. City staff would accept no more than twenty applications per month, review eligibility of those applicants, and prioritize the applicants based on the following criteria:
First-come, first-serve basis;
Risk of homelessness if assistance is not received;
Other urgent requests to be determined; and
If all applicants are eligible, the City will roll the least urgent applicants to the next month and only take in the number of applicants that are needed to meet 20 applications for review each month.
City staff will complete this process until all program funds are expended. With one staff member assigned to this program, it is recommended that these limits are in place to ensure staff have sufficient time to review applications for eligibility and assist applicants.
The draft guidelines detail information that staff will need to implement the program from both applicants and landlords. Current staff met with prior City of Monterey staff who implemented the rental assistance program and the information needed is based on information collected in prior rental assistance programs and what City finance staff would need to make payments.
In summary, the draft guidelines allow for flexibility and adhere to best practices for rental assistance programs. The goals of the program allow for higher income levels to receive assistance and funding limits that would allow staff to provide more assistance to more people over time. City staff understands this would be a pilot program. Based on Council general feedback at this Study Session, City staff will return to the Council on March 19, 2024 for a formal decision on the proposed guidelines.
NUMBER IN
HOUSEHOLD
1 PERSON 2 PERSON 3 PERSON 4 PERSON 5 PERSON 6 PERSON 7 PERSON 8 PERSON
ACUTELY
LOW
(0-15%)
$10,550 $12,050 $13,550 $15,050 $16,250 $17,450 $18,650 $19,850
EXTREMELY
LOW
(16-30%)
$25,300 $28,900 $32,500 $36,100 $39,00 $41,900 $45,420 $50,560
VERY LOW
(31-50%)
$42,150 $48,200 $54,200 $60,200 $65,050 $69,850 $74,650 $79,500 LOW
(51-80%)
$67,450 $77,100 $86,750 $96,350 $104,100 $111,800 $119,500 $127,200 MEDIAN (81-
100%)
$70,300 $80,300 $90,350 $100,400 $108,450 $116,450 $124,500 $132,550
MODERATE
(101-120%)
$84,350 $96,400 $108,450 $120,500 $130,150 $139,800 $149,400 $159,050 Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 8, Packet Page 10 KC/AW
Attachments: 1. Draft 2024 Monterey Rental Assistance Program Guidelines
2. Rental Assistance Program Survey
Writings distributed for discussion or consideration on this matter within 72 hours prior to the meeting, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.5, will be made available at the following link:
https://monterey.org/Submitted-Comments
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 9, Packet Page 11 Attachment 1
CITY OF MONTEREY
2024 Monterey Rental Assistance
DRAFT Program Guidelines
February 2024
About the Program
The City is enacting the Monterey Rental Assistance Program (MRAP) to provide rental assistance to eligible applicants in the City of Monterey. The City operated the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”) in 2020 with the objective of mitigating potential homelessness and displacement of existing Monterey residents and workers who experienced a decrease in household income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus, unable to pay their rent.
The 2024 MRAP aims to provide rental assistance grants to assist eligible applicants. The assistance could pay for:
Deposit Assistance
Housing relocation and stabilization
Short-term rental assistance
Covering rent increases
Delinquent rent/rental arrears
Financial Assistance (Paying another cost to assist with rent payment) Application Fees
The City is providing a much-needed resource to ensure residents of Monterey stay housed.
The program is funded through the City’s General Fund. Utilizing general funds for this program allows for the greatest flexibility for the City to assist applicants and allow the City Council to determine the parameters of the program.
Applicant Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Monterey’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Live in the City of Monterey
Experience a loss of income due to a change of employment or experience a catastrophic event (such as divorce, loss of a spouse, medical emergency, etc.) Be able to provide a lease agreement or letter confirming tenancy from your landlord History of making rent payments
Make less than 120% of Area Median Income (the below AMI chart will be updated annually based on State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Income Limits for Monterey County)
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 10, Packet Page 12 Attachment 1
State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) 2023 Income Limits, Monterey County
Amount and Type of Assistance
The City will provide one-time rental assistance in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Other assistance, such as deposit assistance will also be provided to the same applicant if the client needs multiple types of assistance, but each type of assistance will be on a one-time basis.
Other assistance may include legal assistance and housing counseling. It is not a requirement for a client to have additional assistance, however, if needed and requested, City staff will work with other non-profit organizations that provide counseling and housing services to provide additional resources and support. Other one-time assistance will be capped at $3,000 per applicant. Payments for one-time assistance for housing counseling and legal assistance would be paid to the City’s contracted non-profit agency that provides these services.
Payments will be made directly to the applicant’s landlord or property management firm. No direct payments will go to Monterey Rental Assistance Program applicants. Other housing services will be paid through agreements with non-profit organizations who provide those services.
NUMBER IN
HOUSEHOLD
1 PERSON 2 PERSON 3 PERSON 4 PERSON 5 PERSON 6 PERSON 7 PERSON 8 PERSON
ACUTELY
LOW
(0-15%)
$10,550 $12,050 $13,550 $15,050 $16,250 $17,450 $18,650 $19,850
EXTREMELY
LOW
(16-30%)
$25,300 $28,900 $32,500 $36,100 $39,00 $41,900 $45,420 $50,560
VERY LOW
(31-50%)
$42,150 $48,200 $54,200 $60,200 $65,050 $69,850 $74,650 $79,500 LOW
(51-80%)
$67,450 $77,100 $86,750 $96,350 $104,100 $111,800 $119,500 $127,200 MEDIAN (81-
100%)
$70,300 $80,300 $90,350 $100,400 $108,450 $116,450 $124,500 $132,550
MODERATE
(101-120%)
$84,350 $96,400 $108,450 $120,500 $130,150 $139,800 $149,400 $159,050 Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 11, Packet Page 13 Attachment 1
Funding Availability
The City of Monterey has dedicated $200,000 for rental assistance for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Eligible applicants are funded on a first come, first serve basis. City staff will assist up to ten applicants/month. The City will accept no more than twenty applications per month, review eligibility of those applicants, prioritize the applicants based on the following criteria:
First-come, first-serve basis
Risk of homelessness if assistance is not received
Other urgent requests to be determined
If all applicants are eligible, the City will roll the least urgent applicants to the next month and only take in the number of applicants that are needed to meet 20 applications for review each month
The City will complete this process until all program funds are expended No Duplication of Benefits
Rental Assistance best practices recommend that the City of Monterey staff check to see that the Rental Assistance will not result in a duplication of benefits to the applicant, meaning that the housing cost has not or will not be paid by another source. To ensure that there is no duplication of benefits, applicants must inform the City of Monterey about other financial assistance they are receiving so that the City may verify that no duplication of benefits will occur if the applicant receives Rental Assistance from the City. Receiving other financial aid does not disqualify someone from applying, but receiving other financial aid may limit the amount of Rental Assistance an applicant is eligible to receive.
Required Documentation for Tenants and Landlords
Applicants must provide the following documentation to the City of Monterey Housing Programs Office:
Cover Letter explaining your situation and why rental assistance is needed Most recent Federal income tax returns
Most recent bank statement for checking and savings accounts Lease Agreement or letter from landlord confirming tenancy Photo ID for each member of the household
Self-Certification of Income
For employment:
o Most recent paystub (if still employed)
o Hour reduction notification from employer (if hours reduced) o Unemployment Award Letter from a state or federal unemployment (if unemployed) or Termination Letter
Rent Due notices
Landlord verification that applicant was current on rent or making payments Landlord’s W9 and contact information for payment
Information relating to other financial assistance you are receiving (see Duplication of Benefits)
Landlord would allow inspection of the unit
Landlord may consider forgiving back rent not covered by the program Landlord may consider accepting a fraction (ex: 80%) of rent as payment-in-full Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 12, Packet Page 14 Attachment 1
Landlord may consider waiving late fees
Landlord may consider to not move forward with an eviction for a specified length of time
Application Process
Applicants must complete the City of Monterey’s online Rental Assistance Program application at Monterey.org/housing. The online application will automatically screen your eligibility based on your income and if you live or work in Monterey.
Once you have successfully completed the online application, the system will send you an automatic email thanking you for your submission. City Staff will contact you within one (1) week of your application submission to discuss your application.
If you do not have access to the internet to complete the online application, please contact the City of Monterey Housing Programs Office to discuss an alternative application process.
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 13, Packet Page 15 Attachment 1
Record Retention
The City of Monterey Housing Programs Office will keep all records for each applicant in accordance with City requirements.
Contact
The City of Monterey Housing Programs Office is available to answer questions about the Monterey Rental Assistance Program by phone at 831-646-3995 or by email at [email protected].
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 14, Packet Page 16 Rental Assistance Program
Survey
SURVEY RESPONSE REPORT
14 January 2024 - 13 February 2024
PROJECT NAME:
Rental Assistance Program Input
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 15, Packet Page 17
SURVEY QUESTIONS
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 16, Packet Page 18 Q1 What should be the primary focus of the rental assistance program? (Please rank based on order of importance with #1 being ...
Q2 What should rental assistance funds be used for? (Please rank based on order of importance with #1 being the highest and #6 being the lowest) OPTIONS AVG. RANK
Assistance to secure or maintain housing 2.26
Financial assistance to prevent homelessness 2.38
Assistance due to loss or change in employment or other catastrophic events
2.58 Eviction prevention 3.58
Housing relocation and stabilization 3.88
OPTIONS AVG. RANK
Deposit assistance 2.79
Covering rent increases 3.04
Financial assistance 3.08
Short-term rental assistance 3.47
Rental arrears (back rent owed) 3.74
Application Fees 4.19
Optional question (116 response(s), 2 skipped)
Question type: Ranking Question
Optional question (115 response(s), 3 skipped)
Question type: Ranking Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 17, Packet Page 19 Q3 Who should be eligible for this program?
66 (56.9%)
66 (56.9%)
11 (9.5%)
11 (9.5%)
29 (25.0%)
29 (25.0%)
10 (8.6%)
10 (8.6%)
Current resident of the City of Monterey Employees of businesses located in Monterey regardless of their city of residence Both Other (please specify)
Question options
Optional question (116 response(s), 2 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 18, Packet Page 20 Q4 How should recipients of the rental assistance program be selected? 25 (21.7%)
25 (21.7%)
76 (66.1%)
76 (66.1%)
14 (12.2%)
14 (12.2%)
First come, first served Urgency of assistance needed Other (please specify) Question options
Optional question (115 response(s), 3 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 19, Packet Page 21 Q5 What income levels should be a primary focus for the rental assistance program? (Please refer to chart below)
65 (56.5%)
65 (56.5%)
33 (28.7%)
33 (28.7%)
9 (7.8%)
9 (7.8%)
8 (7.0%)
8 (7.0%)
Low income level and below Median income level and below Moderate income level and below Above moderate income level
Question options
Optional question (115 response(s), 3 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 20, Packet Page 22 Q6 What is the total amount of rental assistance that each qualified applicant should be eligible to receive?
27 (23.9%)
27 (23.9%)
37 (32.7%)
37 (32.7%)
28 (24.8%)
28 (24.8%)
21 (18.6%)
21 (18.6%)
Up to $3,000 Up to $5,000 Up to $10,000 No Limit
Question options
Optional question (113 response(s), 5 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 21, Packet Page 23 Q7 Should rental assistance cover:
20 (17.5%)
20 (17.5%)
40 (35.1%)
40 (35.1%)
9 (7.9%)
9 (7.9%)
27 (23.7%)
27 (23.7%)
18 (15.8%)
18 (15.8%)
Entire rent Only a portion of rent Only the amount of the rent increase Any expense necessary Other (please specify)
Question options
Optional question (114 response(s), 4 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 22, Packet Page 24 Q8 How many times should an applicant be eligible to receive rental assistance? 45 (39.8%)
45 (39.8%)
68 (60.2%)
68 (60.2%)
Once Multiple times
Question options
Optional question (113 response(s), 5 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 23, Packet Page 25 Q9 Should rental assistance be contingent upon requiring recipients to receive information/education from the City of Monterey regarding housing resources? 44 (38.9%)
44 (38.9%)
38 (33.6%)
38 (33.6%)
27 (23.9%)
27 (23.9%)
2 (1.8%)
2 (1.8%) 2 (1.8%)
2 (1.8%)
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Question options
Optional question (113 response(s), 5 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 24, Packet Page 26 Q10 Should the rental assistance program offer services such as financial counseling/problem solving?
50 (43.9%)
50 (43.9%)
46 (40.4%)
46 (40.4%)
13 (11.4%)
13 (11.4%) 3 (2.6%)
3 (2.6%) 2 (1.8%)
2 (1.8%)
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Question options
Optional question (114 response(s), 4 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 25, Packet Page 27 Q11 Should applicants be able to use rental assistance funds for one-time legal services to resolve Tenant/Landlord issues?
29 (25.4%)
29 (25.4%)
36 (31.6%)
36 (31.6%)
25 (21.9%)
25 (21.9%)
10 (8.8%)
10 (8.8%)
14 (12.3%)
14 (12.3%)
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Question options
Optional question (114 response(s), 4 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Rental Assistance Program Survey : Survey Report for 14 January 2024 to 13 February 2024
Attchment 2
Council Special Meeting, 2/28/2024, Item No. 1., Item Page 26, Packet Page 28