Posted on October 27, 2020 at 2:48 pm by Lisa Atwood
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has dedicated $2 million to establish a grant program for small residential rental property owners in the County who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible property owners in San Mateo County may apply for up to $7,500 in claimed losses and may receive direct cash grants up to $6,000 per unit for up to 10 units per applicant.
The online application period opens Thursday, October 15. It will be available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Who is eligible for the Small Property Owner Assistance program? To qualify for grants, property owners must meet all of the following criteria:
- Live in San Mateo County, including within any incorporated city or unincorporated area of the County
- Lease/rent residential rental properties in San Mateo County, including within any incorporated City or unincorporated area of the County
- Rely on rental property income from qualifying rental unit(s) as their primary income source, as shown by 2018 and 2019 tax returns
- Earned less than $400,000 in annual gross rental income from qualifying rental unit(s) in both 2018 and 2019
What rental units are eligible for grant relief? To be eligible for relief, rental units must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be located in San Mateo County, including within any incorporated city or unincorporated area
- Was occupied, during the period of April 1 through August 31, 2020, by tenant(s) who had occupied the unit for at least 30 days (short-term and vacation rental properties are not eligible for relief)
- The tenant(s) of the unit have paid less than the full rent due during the period of April 1 through August 31, 2020 as a result of COVID-19, resulting in a loss of rental income to the property owner(s)
- Must not have code violations or unaddressed public liens
- Monthly rental rates for the units must not exceed the 2020 HUD Fair Market Rent thresholds for San Mateo County, adjusted by unit size, that are shown below:
- Studio: $2,197
- 1-Bedroom: $2,720
- 2-Bedroom: $3,339
- 3-Bedroom: $4,365
- 4-Bedroom: $4,657
The
San Mateo County Association of Realtors and the
California Apartment Association will provide assistance to small property owner applicants who need help during the application period. Once the application period begins, if you have questions on the application itself, please
email San Mateo County.
