San Bernardino County has established an emergency rental assistance program that will disperse more than $46.8 million in rental assistance to residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown. The funds were provided through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The San Bernardino County Rent Relief Partnership will contribute up to 12 months of overdue rent and/or potential rent payments to residents who have struggled to make payments. Applicants can apply for arrears accrued from March 13, 2020 to present and the program will be available through Dec. 31, 2021 or until all funds are exhausted. Landlords who have tenants who are behind on rent can initiate the application process on behalf of their tenants, as long as the tenant provides consent and completes the tenant portion of the application process. Landlords for more than one rental household will need to submit a form for each rental household. To receive assistance, renters must meet specific criteria.
For more information and to apply to receive assistance, visit the County’s Rent Relief website: https://www.sbcrentrelief.com/
Criteria for rent assistance
Household members must reside within San Bernardino County.
The household must have a family income equal to or less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as outlined in the application.
One or more individuals within the household qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak.
One or more persons within the household may demonstrate the risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
One or more persons within 50% of the AMI household are unemployed on the date of the assistance application and have not been employed during the 90-day period prior to that date.
Applicants from these cities applying for the County program will be redirected to their corresponding programs.
