Up to $5,000 in rent assistance available for Santa Barbara County tenants

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — September 1 could be different than other firsts of the month during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unless the California State Legislature votes to change it, evictions for missed rents could start. The legislature is expected to vote on what to do Monday.

In Santa Barbara, Supervisor of District 1, Das Williams, said residents have two options. Those options vary based on where the tenants live.

Eligible tenants must live in Unincorporated County, Santa Maria, Buellton, Solvang, Guadalupe, Goleta, and Carpinteria. They can receive up to $5,000 to provide help paying three months of rent.

The payment will be made directly to the landlord or property management company.

How much assistance they can receive depends on household income, size of household and lost wages or healthcare increases due to the pandemic. 

Tenants have until September 4 to be eligible for the rent relief program. Money for the program is from the CARES Act.

To apply or for more information about the program visit the county website here. Click the select language tab in the upper right to switch to Spanish, if needed.

Click here for information about assistance in the city of Santa Barbara.