CAP San Bernardino County rental assistance and transitional housing programs work

Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County provides rental assistance and emergency housing to needy tenants, plus transitional housing opportunities to combat poverty and homelessness.

Eviction Prevention

Have you receive an eviction notice due to late rent? Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County can help you avoid the eviction.

There are some eligibility requirements. A case manager can help you determine whether you qualify for benefits.

First, you cannot be more than a month behind. If you are more than one month delinquent, then the back payment assistance would not cure your delinquency, and therefore you would not be in current status. The agency will require that any assistance completely restore your rental history to current status.

Tenants who are receiving subsidized rent through Section 8 are not eligible for this particular program. Otherwise, as long as you are in a lower income household and earn more than your monthly rent, then you are encouraged to submit an application for rental assistance. Your case manager will work with you to help your family avoid becoming evicted. If they need to, then they may negotiate a workout arrangement with your landlord.

Emergency Housing

Unlike most emergency housing programs, Community Action Program of San Bernardino County does not place you in a crowded homeless shelter. Instead, your family could receive a voucher good for up to a week’s stay at an area motel.

There is a Transitional Assistance Division that does operate a homeless shelter. If your request to stay there is denied, then the motel voucher may be approved to help keep you off the streets.

Vouchers will only be approved if you can show where you will live after you receive the emergency assistance. Case managers can help you find a place, so you are not alone on this quest for safe and permanent housing.

Security Deposit Assistance

If you can pay a portion of your first month’s rent but do not have enough cash on hand to pay the security deposit, you could get some assistance to pay your security deposit for you. This grant is paid to you, and there is no loan to repay. You just have to bring proof to your case manager that the funds were paid to your landlord.

A copy of the signed lease as well as receipt from your landlord will be enough to prove that the funds were paid properly. Funds can be used towards the security deposit and/or your first month’s rent.

To apply for rental assistance through Community Action Program of San Bernardino County, call 909-723-1560.

Transitional Housing

If you qualify for transitional housing, you may apply for admission to Obershaw House. This transitional housing program allows for evicted tenants to live for up to one year while working with a case manager.

You can get help finding a job while you work to improve your finances. Get tips on building credit, paying off debt and sticking to a budget.

You must be referred by a case manager before you may be considered to live in Obershaw House. Call 909-723-1568 with any questions.