ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D3
Prepared by: Jonathan Lung, Housing & Homeless Svcs Div. Mgr Meeting Date: February 24, 2026 Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion
SUBJ
ECT: SENIOR RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM PARAMETERS
RECO
MMENDATION: Discuss parameters of a senior rental subsidy program to assist with rent and other housing-related expenses for Vista seniors with low income and experiencing housing instability, and provide direction to staff.
CORRE
LATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Homelessness & Housing.
PR
IOR ACTION: On November 12, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025- 191, amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27, and amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26 as amended by City Council (Vote: 5-0).
STA
TEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: On November 12, 2025, the City Council appropriated $500,000 from Fiscal Year 2024/2025 year end fund balance for a Senior Housing Subsidy program. Staff have prepared an outline of various program parameters for the City Council to consider and adjust as appropriate.
The Seni
or Rental Subsidy Program is proposed to help pay rent and other housing- related expenses for Vista seniors with low income and experiencing housing instability. The Program is proposed to provide up to $250, $500, $750, or $1,000 per month towards rent on behalf of eligible households, depending on applicant circumstances. The Program is also proposed to provide case management and assist with housing-related expenses, such as past-due rent and past-due utilities, depending on the household’s need.
These payments are made directly to the landlord or utility company. Enrolled clients may receive assistance for up to 24 months.
The obj
ective of the program will be to assist households with achieving long-term housing stability after the conclusion of rental subsidy, measured by households spending no more than 60 percent of household income towards rent. To achieve housing stability, program staff should work with participants to stabilize housing by finding ways to increase income and decrease household costs to make their current unit more affordable. If that is not possible, program staff will assist with identifying alternative, more affordable housing units.
St
aff propose the eligibility criteria for a Senior Rental Subsidy Program to include:
• Must be a leaseholder and living in a rental unit with a Vista mailing address. • Households with a head of household who is a senior or who has a dependent senior. o For purposes of this program, a senior is defined as 55 years or older.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Directed staff to take the Senior Rental Subsidy Program parameters, with the City Council recommendations (Vista resident, 30% or lower AMI, age 70 and older, with a disability), to the Senior Commission for input. Vote: 4-0 (O'Donnell absent)