The Sacramento Resource Directory

Rental Assistance Programs in Sacramento, CA I 2011

The good news is that here you will find six emergency, and charity rental assistance programs that may provide very limited help. The not so good news is that 95% of the time, the rental assistance programs is out of funds. Typically, the programs begin the month with hypothetically 1,000.00 and that amount is distributed within the first few days or week. Sometimes a landlord or landlady is generous enough to wait until a tenant receives an appointment for a screening interview and then issue the 3 day pay or quit. The best advice is to go to your local parish or church and talk to them. If you do meet with a local church, then give them the same respect as a program and have your paperwork, budget and other information with you. Here is some general eligibility information and explanations to help you prepare for a screening and helpful things to say when leaving a message:

· You must have a three day notice in hand at your screening interview to be eligible for rental assistance. If you go to your landlord and request a 3 day notice for the purpose of receiving rental assistance, then beware that when your landlord hands you a three day pay or quit notice in order to receive the assistance, you have been legally served.

· To apply for rental assistance you will need a copy of your lease agreement.

· You will need proof of household income and show how you will pay all of your rent next month.

· Rental assistance programs will usually call your landlord to verify your occupancy and need for rental assistance, so have the number with you.

· The rental assistance programs will not pay any of the late fees or back rent.

· Almost all rental assistance programs are subjective in discerning who will receive help. This is because they have a limited amount of money and usually give help to they who have the most vulnerable people in need, such as infants, seniors, and/or disabled living in the home. Rent assistance programs do not pick and choose who they help, instead they offer very limited call in times.

· Be prepared to have a specific reason (emergency) why you do not have all of the money for rent, such as your roommate that was on the lease is in the hospital for a month. Situations such as you lost your job, no longer receiving unemployment or your check did not show up, are usually to general. Families with children that have been displaced by CPS and/or lost their supplemental/CalWorks income are usually not considered a onetime emergency.

· The rental assistance programs will not provide all of your rent. You will need to show that you have at least 75% of the money. Typically, the programs only gives up to one hundred dollars and in extremely rare circumstances may give up to 200.00.

· If you are more than 100.00 behind in rent then you may possibly have two rental assistance programs, or a program and a church, concurrently help you. For example one program covers 100.00 and a local church gives you 25.00 to help cover your total rental assistance needs.

Folsom Cordova Community Partnership 10665 Coloma Road, Suite 200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Call (916) 361-8684 x5 Monday only 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and leave a message for rent assistance. If funds are available, your call will be returned, if no funds are available then your call will not be returned and you will need to call again next Monday. Safety-Net Services - rental assistance by appointment only. Serves all zip codes.

Greater Sacramento Urban League 3725 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95838 Ph. (916) 286-8607 Emergency assistance is provided on a first come first serve (very limited) bases. No walk ins, by appointment only. Click on the title to view if the GSUL is accepting applications. Serves all zip codes. Temporarily out of funds for January and February 2012.

The Salvation Army Sacramento Family Services 4350 Raley Blvd., # 200, Sacramento, CA 95838 Ph. (916) 678-4050 You must call on Monday only 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for rental assistance. NOTE: If you receive a 3 day pay or quit, then you will still have to wait until Monday for an appointment. Once you get through on the phone, then you may receive an appointment to come in for a "screening." Zip codes: 95608, 95610, 95621, 95628, 95652, 95655, 95670, 95742, 95811, 95814, 95815, 95816, 95817, 95818, 95819, 95821, 95825, 95827, 95841, 95842 and 95864.

Powerhouse Ministries 311 Market Street, Folsom, CA 95630 Drop-ins from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and by appointment in the afternoon. Zip codes: 95630 and 95662.

Travelers Aid Society 2251 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA 95822-4490 Ph. (916) 399-9646 Moday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Travelers Aid Society sometimes has a very limited amount of funds at the beginning of each month to help with rental assistance. You must call first, no walk ins. The Travelers Aid is known to be fair in their screening process although it may help if you have a caseworker or Pastor to advocate for you. Zip codes: 95820, 95822, 95823, 95824, 95826, 95828, 95829, 95830, 95831 and 95832.

St Joseph's Catholic Church 1717 El Monte Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95815 Ph (916) 925-3584 The church provides rental assistance from very limited funds that are usually dispersed within the first few days of the month. It is important to have your paperwork in order before calling for assistance. This organization is known to be fair and generous in helping people. If they have the money to help, then they will. Temporarily out of funds for January 2012. Zip codes: 95815 and 95813.

Centro Guadalupe 730 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-7011 Ph. (916) 443-5367 Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.  Friday - closed. All of the suggestions in what you need to know will apply to your eligibility for rental assistance. The Centro Guadalupe also has a zip code restriction. They restrict their services to people living within certain zip codes and you will need to call them to find out if you live in the right zip code for you and your children to be eligible. The Centro Guadalupe claims to provide rental assistance, however, when repeatedly called they have always stated they are out of funds. Zip codes: 95626, 95660, 95673, 95833, 95834, 95835, 95836, 95837, 95838 and 95843.

Need More Help and Resources?

Online Sacramento Church Directory This link will take you to a list of local churches within the Sacramento area that you may contact. None of the churches claim that they provide rental assistance, however, you can try each one and maybe somebody will help you with your "emergency".

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