Samaritan House pays emergency rent and deposit
For a few local families that have received direct rental aid, Samaritan House has been a blessing. This organization has built a reputation for providing supplemental support to help residents of San Mateo obtain or retain affordable rental housing.
Samaritan House is a charity that was initially chartered in 1974. Over the years the services have evolved to meet local demand. One thing has not changed. The directors and staff are dedicated to helping those who need help the most. They go above and beyond expectations to make things better, especially when hardship has taken away a family’s self-sufficiency.
The bulk of the funding of the organization is reserved towards maintaining stable housing. They are trying to make sure that people do not end up on the street even as rent increases threaten their ability to survive on such a limited income. Budgeting can only go so far once basic living costs are driven up higher than actual income. There are currently 23 such households that are protected from homelessness through supplemental rental aid payments by the organization.
There are three methods that Samaritan House plays an active role.
- The organization refers lower-income families into Below Market Rent (BMR) housing. While these cheaper units are scarce, those who are placed into one of these units benefit from a safe and comfortable home with the advantage of being charged less rent than in comparable units within the same market.
- Emergency rent assistance payments are made to 23 households each month who might otherwise become homeless. These recipients of emergency aid were selected out of the applications received based on the seriousness of their situation and their efforts to improve their situation. Some households experienced multiple hardships that were unrecoverable without outside assistance.
- In some situations, the deposit and first month’s rent can be paid on behalf of a client who is unable to move into a rental property due to lack of savings. Those who have received the aid have been extremely thankful, since they never would have been able to save the money necessary to move in, especially if they were paying excessive rent at a motel or other temporary accommodation.
While the actual approach to a situation may vary, all clients receive the utmost in care and attention from the case manager assigned to their situation. The ultimate action plan may be comprehensive, including changes to a budget, help with getting a new job and receipt of emergency rental aid to avert a housing crisis.
Job loss does not have to result in an eviction. Sometimes an emergency aid payment can keep the family out of arrears while waiting for the next paycheck. This is the difference made by the dedicated staff who have served San Mateo for over four decades.
Anyone who lives in San Mateo may contact the organization to see what types of aid they may qualify for. Samaritan House is located at 4031 Pacific Blvd. New clients are encouraged to call client services at 650-347-3648 prior to visiting.
In addition to the emergency rent payments, help with food, clothing and healthcare can be included.