PRESS RELEASE:

Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee Launches a Groundbreaking Emergency Rental Assistance Pilot Program to Safeguard District 4 Renters

Initiative Aims to Prevent At-Risk Families From Falling Into Homelessness

Santa Ana, CA. (February 1, 2024) - Today Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee announced the launch of the $500,000 District Four Emergency Rental Assistance Pilot (ERAP) Program at a press conference. Vice Chairman Chaffee established the ERAP Program as a preventative measure to stop the cycle of homelessness by assisting families on the brink of losing their housing. Key features of the ERAP Program include short-term rental assistance to eligible residents for up to 3 months, along with case management services provided by the Friendly Center.

To be eligible for the ERAP Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in the Fourth District, including the cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated areas in the Fourth District.
• Be at risk of losing housing due to unpaid rent.
• Be a low-income household based on United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.
• Experience a sudden change in income due to one of the following: sudden medical emergencies, loss of employment, loss of partner/family member on the rental lease or being unhoused but earning sufficient income.
• Committed to case management.

“Cost of living has been at an all time high, and we want to provide a safety net for families before they fall into homelessness,” said Vice Chairman Chaffee, Fourth District. “Our ERAP Program is the first of its kind. It will provide immediate assistance to renters who are behind on their rent, along with ongoing support, so families can achieve economic stability.”

The Friendly Center has been operating its emergency rental assistance program for over 20 years with case management, and wrap-around services to clients throughout Orange County. The Administrator of ERAP was offered to them due to their exceptional quality of service.

“The partnership between the Friendly Center, District 4 Supervisor Chaffee’s Office, supported by the $500,000 funding marks a pivotal step in enhancing our community services,” said Dr. Kenia Cueto, Friendly Center CEO/President. “Our current collaboration focuses on tackling housing insecurity among those living paycheck-to-paycheck and broadens our wraparound services, including mental health, job training, and housing assistance. This initiative strengthens our community ties and resource base, allowing us to more effectively meet the specific needs of our clients. Through this strengthened support system, the Friendly Center is committed to making a significant, positive impact in our community.”

The Friendly Center will collect survey information from participants three-months, six-months, and one year after they complete the ERAP Program to measure the success of the initiative.

“At CalOptima Health we believe that housing IS health. That is why we are excited about Supervisor Chafee’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program,” said Kelly Bruno-Nelson, Executive Director of CalAIM and MediCal at CalOptima Health. “To stop the cycle of homelessness, we must include efforts to prevent homelessness before it happens, and this program makes efforts to do just that.”

The ERAP Program was approved unanimously at the January 23, 2024 Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting and is funded through the Fourth District Discretionary Funds.

To begin the application for the ERAP Program, visit d4.ocgov.com/ERAP. For questions regarding the ERAP Program, call (714) 769-8777.

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Orange County Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee represents the Fourth District, which includes the Cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated communities. 

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