Established in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Housing Assistance Program provided financial assistance payments to Menlo Park residents facing displacement from their rental units and homes for reasons not addressed by the tenant relocation assistance ordinance, emergency rental assistance and rental assistance related to impacts of COVID-19, including decrease or loss of income. The program helped serve the needs of the community using American Rescue Plan funds, as approved by the City Council. Samaritan House San Mateo operated the program on behalf of the City of Menlo Park. All funds for this program were depleted for this purpose.
Program details included:
- One-time rental and mortgage assistance related to COVID-19 or other emergency circumstances
- Tenant relocation assistance (related to substantial rent increase or no cause eviction)
- Leased or owner-occupy a residential unit within incorporated Menlo Park
- Must have resided in unit for a minimum of 12 months
- Applicants for non-COVID-19 related emergency rental assistance must demonstrate their ability to maintain income sustainability (e.g., they have enough income in the future to afford their rent)
- Income cannot exceed 150% of the county’s Area Median Income (AMI)
- Up to $5,000 per household to allow Samaritan House to maximize the reach of the program
- All rent and mortgage payments disbursed directly to landlords, property managers and/or bank/financial institutions