LUCERNE — An informational meeting about rent and utility assistance that is available to Lake County residents takes place 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lucerne Community Clinic, 6300 Highway 20 at 14th Avenue in Lucerne.
“We”ve given $136,000 to-date through Housing Help Lake County,” Hedy Montoya, regional director of Lake County programs for Catholic Charities said.
Catholic Charities received almost $1.2 million in federal stimulus money for its Housing Help Lake County (HHLC). It also received a federal emergency shelter grant through the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Montoya said HHLC is administered with three partners: the Lake County Community Action Agency, Lake Family Resource Center and Community Care HIV/AIDS Program/Drop In Center. The four partnering agencies screen each applicant for HHLC assistance. Catholic Charities has hosted meetings in the community to explain how residents can apply for the program and who is most likely to qualify. According to Montoya, the programs can help people who are in jeopardy of losing their current rental housing, need money to catch up on late rent payments, are at risk of homelessness or who are homeless and need help to re-establish housing and need help in paying past due utility bills.
Montoya said that the programs do not cover mortgage assistance of any kind. According to Catholic Charities, residents must meet federal income guidelines to qualify and requirements such as documentation of payments to landlords or utilities companies and proof of legal residency. All information and documentation is verified during the review process.
Space is limited. Reservations are required to attend Tuesday”s meeting; call 987-8139 to RSVP.
