Rental Assistance Program Input

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Thank you for your participation and feedback with this initiative. We are now in implementation phase.

The first Monterey City Council meeting of the year is this coming Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Among other items, on the agenda in the evening session are two housing-related reports. Item 10: Receive Rental Inventory Program Annual Report and Consider Recommended Program Changes and Initial Tenant Protections, and Item 11: Receive Rental Assistance Program Update and Recommended Program Changes. We encourage the community to attend the meeting and participate in these topics with the staff and City Council. The full agenda is posted at https://isearchmonterey.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=6124&doctype=1#.


Rental Assistance Program Application opens one day a month. See monterey.gov/rentalassistance for more information.


In response to ongoing housing challenges in our community, the City of Monterey is establishing a new Rental Assistance Program to provide rental assistance to eligible households that are faced with housing instability issues. As part of this process, the Housing Office is hosting community outreach opportunities and a survey to gather information on how the City of Monterey can help renters with housing costs. We encourage renter and property manager participation in both the survey and in-person drop-in sessions.

Previous City Rental Assistance programs have provided financial relief for members of our community. As a first in the county, Monterey launched an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in April 2020 spending almost $1 million (162 households) in City housing program funds in response to financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the City of Monterey administered the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds totaling approximately $1.25 million on behalf of the United Way of Monterey County, benefiting 128 households. Combined, the two programs benefited 290 households.

Please refer to the timeline section of this page for more information on our upcoming community outreach opportunities.

The first Monterey City Council meeting of the year is this coming Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Among other items, on the agenda in the evening session are two housing-related reports. Item 10: Receive Rental Inventory Program Annual Report and Consider Recommended Program Changes and Initial Tenant Protections, and Item 11: Receive Rental Assistance Program Update and Recommended Program Changes. We encourage the community to attend the meeting and participate in these topics with the staff and City Council. The full agenda is posted at https://isearchmonterey.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=6124&doctype=1#.


Rental Assistance Program Application opens one day a month. See monterey.gov/rentalassistance for more information.


In response to ongoing housing challenges in our community, the City of Monterey is establishing a new Rental Assistance Program to provide rental assistance to eligible households that are faced with housing instability issues. As part of this process, the Housing Office is hosting community outreach opportunities and a survey to gather information on how the City of Monterey can help renters with housing costs. We encourage renter and property manager participation in both the survey and in-person drop-in sessions.

Previous City Rental Assistance programs have provided financial relief for members of our community. As a first in the county, Monterey launched an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in April 2020 spending almost $1 million (162 households) in City housing program funds in response to financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the City of Monterey administered the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds totaling approximately $1.25 million on behalf of the United Way of Monterey County, benefiting 128 households. Combined, the two programs benefited 290 households.

Please refer to the timeline section of this page for more information on our upcoming community outreach opportunities.

Thank you for your participation and feedback with this initiative. We are now in implementation phase.

  • Rental Assistance Program Application (Month 3) Opens Friday, June 14 from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

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    The City of Monterey Rental Assistance Program online application period will open for one day, Friday, June 14, from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 8:00 p.m.

    The online application will be available at monterey.gov/rentalassistance. Complete instructions in English and Spanish are part of the application, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is also available on the website.

    BACKGROUND: Monterey City Council passed a resolution at the March 19, 2024 City Council meeting to designate $250,000 from the General Fund for rental assistance to eligible Monterey households that are faced with housing instability issues. The City will provide up to three months of rental assistance in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Other assistance may include one-time legal assistance, housing counseling and will be capped at $3,000 per applicant. In addition, other assistance, such as help paying a deposit (in the form of a loan), will also be provided to the same applicant if the client needs multiple types of assistance. Total assistance will not exceed $8,000 per applicant.

    The applications will be accepted on a first come/first served basis. Each month, the first ten eligible applicants will be selected for review and assistance. The application period will be open during the middle of each month (as long as program funds are available). The City expects to receive more applications than there are funds available and will open the application window open for an eight-hour period. Should the City not receive enough applications, the application window will be open until enough eligible applications are received. Applicants not selected can reapply in future months.


  • Rental Assistance Program Application (Month 2) Opens Wed., May 15 from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

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    Monterey City Council passed a resolution at the March 19, 2024 City Council meeting to designate $250,000 from the General Fund for rental assistance to eligible Monterey households that are faced with housing instability issues. The program’s online application period will open for one day, Wednesday, May 15 from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 8:00 p.m. The program’s online application initial opening period was Wednesday, April 17 from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 8:00 p.m. The online application will be available at https://monterey.gov/rentalassistance. Complete instructions in English and Spanish are part of the application, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is also available on the website.

    The City will provide up to three months of rental assistance in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Other assistance may include one-time legal assistance, housing counseling and will be capped at $3,000 per applicant. In addition, other assistance, such as help paying a deposit (in the form of a loan), will also be provided to the same applicant if the client needs multiple types of assistance. Total assistance will not exceed $8,000 per applicant.

    The applications will be accepted on a first come/first served basis. Each month, the first ten eligible applicants will be selected for review and assistance. The application period will be open during the middle of each month (as long as program funds are available). The City expects to receive more applications than there are funds available and will open the application window open for an eight-hour period. Should the City not receive enough applications, the application window will be open until enough eligible applications are received. Applicants not selected can reapply in future months.

    April 12, 2024 News Release in PDF

  • Rental Assistance Program Application opens Wed., April 17 from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

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    April 12, 2024 News Release in PDF

    Monterey City Council passed a resolution at the March 19, 2024 City Council meeting to designate $250,000 from the General Fund for rental assistance to eligible Monterey households that are faced with housing instability issues. The program’s online application period will open for one day, Wednesday, April 17 from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 8:00 p.m. The online application will be available at https://monterey.gov/rentalassistance. Complete instructions in English and Spanish are part of the application, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is also available on the website.

    The City will provide up to three months of rental assistance in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Other assistance may include one-time legal assistance, housing counseling and will be capped at $3,000 per applicant. In addition, other assistance, such as help paying a deposit (in the form of a loan), will also be provided to the same applicant if the client needs multiple types of assistance. Total assistance will not exceed $8,000 per applicant.

    Housing Manager Anastacia Wyatt said, “We understand there is a strong need for housing assistance from the community, and we are proud to be a city stepping up to provide this critical help. While we realize we don’t have the capacity to help everyone who applies for this program assistance, we will continue to help as many people as we can.”

    The applications will be accepted on a first come/first served basis. Each month, the first ten eligible applicants will be selected for review and assistance. The application period will be open during the middle of each month (as long as program funds are available). The City expects to receive more applications than there are funds available and will open the application window open for an eight-hour period. Should the City not receive enough applications, the application window will be open until enough eligible applications are received. Applicants not selected can reapply in future months.


  • Rental Assistance Program Input 2024

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    Funding will be available this spring! Tell us what you need! Renters and property managers are encouraged to provide feedback on how the City of Monterey can help renters with housing costs. Read the NEWS RELEASE

    Participate in a community drop-in session:

    • Wed., Feb. 7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hilltop Park Center
    • Sun., Feb. 11, 12 to 2 p.m. at Laguna Grande Park
    • Mon., Feb. 12, 6 to 7 p.m. at El Estero Park Center
    • Sun., Feb. 18, 12 to 2 p.m. at Montecito Park
    • Thu., Feb. 29, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Monterey Sport Center
    • Mon., Mar. 4, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at San Carlos Beach Park
    • Wed., Mar. 6, 12 to 2 p.m. at Monterey Peninsula College


    Come see us at the Tuesday Farmer’s Market on Alvarado Street, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 4 to 7 p.m.