Apply Now for the COVID-19 Housing Stability Assistance Program
City of San Diego households with low income that experience financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply now for help to pay past-due, unpaid rent and utilities.
City of San Diego COVID-19 Temporary Ban on Evictions
UPDATE: On January 29, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law an extension of the statewide temporary eviction ban, including the City of San Diego.
This temporary eviction ban remains in effect until June 30, 2021.
A City of San Diego temporary eviction ban will take effect on July 1, 2021, unless the State further extends its eviction ban. The City eviction ban will remain in effect until 60 days after the end of the City’s State of Emergency related to COVID-19.
Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed City eviction ban received City Council approval on January 26, 2021.
County of San Diego COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The County of San Diego’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps eligible households in qualifying areas, including the City of San Diego, who have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about the County program, visit www.sdhcd.org or click here.
The San Diego Housing Commission is not administering the County’s program.
City of San Diego Small Business Relief Fund
The City of San Diego has established a Small Business Relief Fund to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 retain employees and sustain continuity of operations. For more information: https://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/resources/relief
COVID-19 Multifamily Housing Development Hardship Program
The San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) Multifamily Housing Development Hardship Program provides temporary, short-term relief for affordable multifamily housing developments for which SDHC issued tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and/or awarded loans.
Relief through this program is determined by SDHC, in its sole discretion, on a case- by- case basis.
CARES Act HUD Waivers (PIH Notice 2020-05)
On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. Pursuant to the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is waiving and establishing alternatives for numerous statutory and regulatory requirements for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. For more information about the CARES ACT waivers SDHC has implemented, click here.
SDHC COVID-19 Single-Family Home Loan Servicing Hardship Program
Borrowers with a San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) loan through single-family home loan programs—First-Time Homebuyer, Affordable For-Sale Housing or Rehabilitation loans— and who are on an amortized monthly payment schedule may be eligible for deferred payments because of the financial impacts of COVID-19.
Deferred payments may be available if the household has experienced a decrease in income through no fault of their own as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:
- COVID-19-related illness;
- Quarantine due to the state of California’s shelter in place mandate; and
- Loss of employment/income or reduction in hours due to COVID-19.
If SDHC approves the request for assistance through this hardship program, the borrower may be able to defer payments for up to 120 days, with a possible extension, as determined by SDHC on a case-by-case basis.
State Warns Public to Beware of Fake Letter
The State of California Department of Social Services is urging the public to be aware that a fake letter is circulating on social media regarding public assistance programs and COVID-19 testing.
The letter refers to the Merced County Human Services Agency and includes a fake signature of a state official.
This letter should be disregarded.
The County of San Diego informed partner organizations, including the San Diego Housing Commission, of the fake letter on Monday, May 11.
For more information, visit www.cdss.ca.gov
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is monitoring and following the guidance provided by the County of San Diego Public Health Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address the impact of the potential spread of the coronavirus and a respiratory disease it causes, known as COVID-19, in the San Diego region.
For more information about coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit www.211sandiego.org or www.coronavirus-sd.com
For additional questions, please call 2-1-1 San Diego.
SDHC Business Operations
To help prevent the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), SDHC’s offices are closed to the public, but staff continue to serve SDHC’s customers by phone or email.
A staff phone directory, searchable by name, is available at (619) 231-9400.
In addition, SDHC’s website includes a directory of SDHC department information.
Resources for households affected by COVID-19
- 211 San Diego: 211sandiego.org
- United Way of San Diego County
San Diego Worker Assistance Initiative: uwsd.org/covid19 - State of California: covid19.ca.gov
- Employment and Taxes: covid19.ca.gov/employment
- Healthcare: covid19.ca.gov/healthcare
- Education: covid19.ca.gov/education
- San Diego Unified School District: sites.google.com/sandi.net/covid19/home
- San Diego Food Resources
- Food Finder: foodfinder.us
- San Diego Food Bank: sandiegofoodbank.org
- Food Assistance Directory: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/documents/FADall.pdf
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
The following information has been gathered from materials provided by the County of San Diego Public Health Services Department and/or the CDC.
Symptoms
According to the CDC, symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with the following symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Higher-Risk Populations
- Older adults
- Individuals with serious chronic medical conditions, such as:
- heart disease
- diabetes
- lung disease
Prevention
The CDC recommends preventive actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay at least 6 feet away from people outside your home.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Treatment
No vaccine or medication exists to treat coronavirus. However, symptoms can be treated, based on the patient’s condition.
If you think you have been exposed to the virus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Preparation
The County of San Diego recommends the following:
- Store a two-week supply of food, beverages, and water, including food for family pets.
- Ensure an adequate supply of prescribed and routine medications are on hand.
- Plan ways to care for those who are at greater risk for serious complications and who will take care of sick family members.
- If you have family members with increased risk of getting seriously sick, check with your medical providers about symptoms and treatment.
- Create an emergency contact list of family and friends, teachers and employers.
- Have a plan in case your school, childcare, or employer closes temporarily.
- Choose a room in your home where a sick household member can be kept separate from the rest of the family. If possible, find a separate bathroom as well.
