Reso 2005-046 - Laserfiche WebLink

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per hour at 40 hours per week. The State minimum wage is $6.75, while the federal minimum wage has been $5.15 per hour since 1997. NLHC also noted that the County was one of the ten least affordable cotu~ties in the United States. The more housing costs rise, the less disposable income low-income households have for other necessities, including food, health care, and education. Most low-income families live from paycheck to paycheck and are only one a paycheck away from losing their current housing. Even when housing is available and a household can afford the rent payment, there are barriers which make it difficult for the household to obta>ll and maintain the housing. The move-in costs of first and last month's rent and security deposit are a large bamer to low-income households who have difficulty making ends meet at the end of the month. Any crisis such as job loss, health emergency, alcohol or drug (AOD) problems can cause the household to begin the spiral into homelessness. Prevention activities need to be expanded in programs that provide short-term rental assistance, delinquent rent assistance, move-in costs, and housing scholarships to homeless and very low-income people: It is usually less expensive to prevent someone from becoming homeless than to help them after they are homeless and is far less disruptive to the family. Objectives Continue to support public service agencies that assist people and households who are at risk of becoming homeless. Accomplishments Tenant/Landlord Counseling ^ Use CDBG funds to contract with a qualified service provider for tenant/landlord counseling services, which shall include information and outreach to San Leandro tenants and rental property owners and managers on theii legal rights and responsibilities, mediation services, and information and referral on housing law issues in order to prevent unlawful evictions or illegal tenant actions. It is estimated that the City will be able to provide counseling for 1,200 households over the next five years. Rental Assistance Program (RAP) ^ Continue to use City funds to contract with ECHO Housing for its Rental Assistance Program (RAP). The program assists residents with move-in costs or delinquent rent due to a temporary financial setback. RAP assists by arranging a guaranteed repayment contract between the tenant and the landlord. Approximately 40 households will be assisted over the next five years. Geographic Distribution All programs listed are available to residents of the City of San Leandro. Housing and Conununity Development Strategic Plan - FY 2005-09 City of San Leandro Page 17