Pasadena City Council
April 14, 2025

Department of HousingREPORT ON RENT RELIEF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY THE EATON FIREApril 14, 2025 Department of HousingBACKGROUND•Eaton Fire destroyed 117 homes in the City, with substantial damage to another 7 residential units.•Unknown number of Pasadena residents were impacted financially through the loss or decrease of business or employment income.•Also unknown is the number of individuals impacted who derive their income from the residential service economy (e.g., child and elderly care, housekeeping, and landscape services). 2 Department of HousingBACKGROUNDCouncil Direction•Concurrent with Council approval on 3/3/25 of a motion directing the preparation of a temporary, emergency ordinance prohibiting tenant evictions for non-payment of rent, Council also directed staff to return with a report on potential funding sources for rent assistance.•This presentation looks at external funding programs, and internal funding streams administered by the Housing Department. 3 Department of HousingExternal Funding Sourcesand ProgramsFederal LevelFEMA Rental Assistance Program provided a temporary grant for interim rental housing while the home is being repaired or rebuilt.Program closed on 3/31/25. State LevelThe State has not established a rental assistance program for individuals impacted by the Eaton Fire. County of Los Angeles$32.2M to support to impacted households with grants up to $18K; program closed on 3/12/25. 4 Department of HousingExternal Funding Sourcesand ProgramsNon-Profit Sector (detailed in Agenda Report)•Pasadena Community FoundationApprox. $19 million in donations collected•USHS- Eaton Fire Housing Assistance Program•Door of Hope - Eaton Fire Hsg Assistance Program•Pasadena Educational FoundationDistributed approximately $1.7 million in assistance to the PUSD community in March •Eaton Fire Collaborative•One Voice Fire Relief FundFinancial assistance to service workers whose jobs were impacted by the fires5 Department of HousingExternal Funding Sourcesand ProgramsFaith-Based Sector•Staff unable to identify Pasadena faith-based institutions that are offering rent relief support on an open basis.•But many such institutions are providing support to members of their respective congregations.•Example: The Pasadena Community Clergy Coalition has established an Eaton Fire Relief program that provides financial support to impacted individuals and their families identified through local congregations. 6 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources through the Housing DepartmentFederal Funds•Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)An annual funding entitlement intended to support community development programs/projects.$2.45M budgeted in FY 2025 - all but $250,000 committed to projects, programs, and administrative support.Beneficiaries must be Low income, not exceeding 80% of the County area median income ($88,800 for a 2-person household).7 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources through the Housing DepartmentFederal Funds•Continuum of Care$939K budgeted in FY 2025 for rapid rehousing programming which provides rental assistance and supportive services to households exiting homelessness.The funding is subcontracted to Union Station Homeless Services ($214,000) and Volunteers of America Los Angeles ($725,000), with the latter designated to serve households with a history of domestic violence.8 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources through the Housing DepartmentFederal Funds• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)Approximately $187K is budgeted in FY 2025.Beneficiaries must qualify as being at risk of or experiencing homelessness.Beneficiaries must be Extremely Low income, not exceeding 30% of the County area median income ($33,300 for a 2-person household). City must provide a 100% funding match.9 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources through the Housing DepartmentFederal Funds• ESG-Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (ESG-RUSH)Approximately $1M awarded to City to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness whose needs are exacerbated by disasters.Beneficiaries must be Extremely Low income, not exceeding 30% of the County area median income.A significant amount of this grant is being planned to provide rental assistance for eligible households experiencing and at risk of homelessness.10 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources through the Housing DepartmentState Funds•Family Homelessness Challenge (FHC)$789K awarded to City for homelessness prevention programming which includes payment of rental arrears and short-term rental assistance to families with minor children at risk of homelessness.Beneficiaries must be Extremely Low income, not exceeding 30% of the County area median income ($33,300 for a 2-person household).These funds are currently subcontracted to local non-profit Door of Hope.11 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources through the Housing DepartmentState Funds•Homeless, Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP)$458K awarded to City for rapid rehousing programming which provides rental assistance, move-in costs, and supportive services to households experiencing homelessness.$80,000 of these funds subcontracted to Union Station Homeless Services. 12 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources Administered through Housing City-Administered Programs•Housing Successor Funds – CityThe projected end of FY 2025 balance is approximately $478K.Restricted under state redevelopment dissolution law to be utilized for the development, rehabilitation, or preservation of affordable housing, homeless prevention, rapid rehousing services, and administrative costs. 13 Department of HousingInternal Funding Sources Administered through Housing City-Administered Programs•Local Solutions Funds from Measure A – CountyApproximately $874K to be allocated to City in July.These funds could be used for rental assistance under the Measure A “Homelessness Prevention” category.Beneficiaries must be precariously housed and/or be at risk of eviction.Beneficiaries must be Very Low income, not exceeding 50% of the County area median income ($55,450 for a 2-person household).14 Department of HousingConclusionMost of the identified internal funding administered by the City are awarded under federal/state programs intended to address homelessness.Such funds are highly proscribed as to allowable uses and beneficiary eligibility, and are restricted from reallocation for broad rent relief.These funds are also subscribed, for the most part, as they are under contract with providers or programmed for allowable uses.15 Department of HousingConclusionThere is some assistance available through the non-profit and faith-based sectors.The use of general fund dollars is not recommended due to economic uncertainty and existing shortfalls for existing programs and uses.16