Monterey seeks updated guidelines for more assistance in Rental Assistance Program report

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Monterey's Rental Assistance Program is presenting their annual report to the Monterey City Council on Tuesday. The new report shows that 67 individuals and families were assisted since April 17, 2024.

The Monterey Rental Assistance Program aims to provide those eligible for the program rental assistance with housing instability issues. City council is seeking new recommendations to the current program guidelines to be able to serve more lower income residents.

This includes lowering the income limit for people who can qualify to people earning less than 80 percent of the area median income. The council is also seeking repayment from applicants who provided false information to receive funding from the program.

The city received a total of 686 applications in which 67 of them were eligible for assistance of the program. Of the 67 assisted, seven were served three-day eviction notice and three were issued a utility shut-off notice.

55 percent of applicants were a one-person household and 45 percent were from a household of more than one person. The program has gained traction in outside communities with those outside of the program area with more than 72 calls from Salinas and with calls as far away as King City with three calls.