SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif — Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA-10) is pushing to raise awareness of the new Emergency Housing Voucher program that has started taking referrals in San Joaquin County.
The program is meant to provide rental assistance to those experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Those looking to escape domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking also may qualify, as well as those who were recently homeless.
"This covers expenses related to searching for a home related to closing on a home or starting renting it move in expenses, this really runs the gamut," Harder told ABC10's Dollars and Sense team.
Final decisions will be made by the Housing Authority County of San Joaquin, but referrals will be made by 211 San Joaquin.
"If you think you might be eligible, then all you have to do is you have to call 211 in San Joaquin County to start the checklist," Harder said. "Or you call my office or go to our website. We can help you figure out what that documentation looks like for you and figure out if you can qualify, but it is a pretty broad program."
Harder said applications will be accepted until funds run out.
"If you think you might be eligible, then then get on it because we don't know how quickly it's going to go," he said.
Stanislaus County should be rolling out something similar soon, he says.
"We're still figuring out how folks can apply there, and as that information becomes available, we're going to send it out to folks," Harder said.
The voucher program is separate from the Emergency Rental Assistance Programs in Stockton and Stanislaus Counties. Both are accepting applications and are meant to provide rental relief to tenants who are behind on payments, as well as their landlords.
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