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Home My WebLink About2021-05-04; Municipal Water District; ; Financial Assistance Update for Customer Water BillsMeeting Date: May 4, 2021 To: President and Board Members From: Scott Chadwick, Executive Manager Staff Contact: Mario Remillard, Meter Services and Customer Service Supervisor mario.remillard@carlsbadca.gov, 760-603-7343 Vicki Quiram, General Manager vicki.quiram@carlsbadca.gov, 760-438-2722 Subject: Financial Assistance Update for Customer Water Bills Districts: All Recommended Action Adopt a resolution directing staff to: •Continue to provide information to ratepayers on 2-1-1 San Diego for referral to local nonprofit organizations to give donations and distribute funds for water bill assistance •Continue to monitor county, state and federal COVID-19 programs related to water bill assistance and return to the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors after these programs have been evaluated to provide a recommendation on other options, including costs, implementation timelines and funding recommendations Executive Summary Staff presented a report to the CMWD board on April 14, 2020, on potential funding programs for water service customers who cannot pay their water bills due to financial hardship. At that time, staff explained the City of San Diego’s H2O SD program, the only such water bill assistance program found in San Diego County. Staff informed the board that although CMWD does not have an official customer bill assistance program, a phone number is provided on water bills that directs customers to call 2-1-1 San Diego to be referred to the County of San Diego or one of several local nonprofit assistance organizations for financial help. Staff reported they would continue to analyze additional funding options and return to the board in one year to give this update. On May 5, 2020, the water district board put temporary financial relief programs into place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These programs outlined in Exhibit 2 will remain in place as long as the state of emergency declared by the governor on March 4, 2020, remains in effect. This report provides a range of funding options to cover the cost of potable water bills that remain unpaid as a result of the emergency measures. As of April 2021, these outstanding bills May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 1 of 16 total approximately $410,000, which represents approximately 1% of the annual budgeted potable water revenue for the current fiscal year, 2020-21. Discussion Background The conversation about water affordability is not unique to the COVID-19 pandemic. Water providers such as CMWD have long recognized the need for low-income or impacted ratepayer assistance programs. But water and wastewater ratepayer revenue cannot be used to fund such programs because of the restrictions set by Proposition 218. The state proposition, which passed in 1996, requires voter approval before local taxes can be increased. The governor’s April 2, 2020, executive order (Executive Order N-42-20 prohibited water shutoffs during the COVID-19 emergency and required restoration of water service that had been shut off any time after the governor’s March 4, 2020, emergency declaration. At its May 5, 2020, meeting, the CMWD board confirmed the executive manager’s previous COVID-19 temporary customer financial relief measures and extended them through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency (Resolution No. 1639). These provisions are currently in effect. Local programs providing pandemic-related assistance have used a variety of funding sources, including revenue from federal, state and county programs, COVID-19 relief programs, general funds, donations, land sales and other funding sources that do not include customer revenue. Administration of these programs is handled mostly through a partnership with San Diego County or nonprofit organizations, which have administrative infrastructure in place to manage such programs. Recent legislative actions, such as Senate Bill 222- Water Rate Assistance Program, have been proposed to explore funding for a statewide program. CMWD past-due accounts As of April 2021, CMWD had 425 water accounts that were over 60 days past due. The amount of this debt totals approximately $410,000, which averages $964 per past due customer. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, normal practice would have been to work on a payment plan with the customers and if they were not willing to do so, shut off water for those customers. Since this practice stopped due to the governor’s Executive Order No. N-42-20, past due accounts have accumulated. Before this executive order, CMWD had suspended customers’ late fee charges, understanding the immediate impact of COVID-19. Some water agencies in San Diego County have resumed charging late fees to encourage people to pay their bills and prevent customers from getting further in debt. CMWD has not resumed any charges but has been offering to set up longer term payment plans on late accounts Customers from the cities of Chula Vista and San Diego were excluded from the county program because of their city-specific federal funds received. Potential funding sources Over the past year, in addition to the City of San Diego’s H2O SD program, the Helix Water District, City of Chula Vista and County of San Diego started rental and utility bill assistance programs. The Helix Water District created its own assistance program called Helix Helps. The Helix Helps program is for district customers only. It was funded through $500,000 from surplus land sales. May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 2 of 16 Each qualifying customer could receive up to $300 in water bill assistance. Customers apply to a third-party nonprofit organization that administers the program. In mid-March 2021, the City of Chula Vista launched the Chula Vista Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which will distribute $16.8 million in state and federal funds to qualifying renters in Chula Vista affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of that funding is available for past due and upcoming utility bills. The San Diego County Housing and Community Development Services Department has a COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program, which also assists with utility bills. CMWD customers are eligible to apply for the program. Applications will be accepted until funds run out. Information about how to access the application for assistance was sent to CMWD customers that were over 60 days late on their bills. To date, 580 Carlsbad residents have applied under the county’s program. State and federal funding totaling $101.5 million was made available for pandemic-related assistance to eligible residents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County, as well as all cities except San Diego and Chula Vista, which received relief funds directly. The program’s primary funding focus was directed at household incomes at or below 50% of the area median income. Each qualified household could have received up to $3,000. There have been several financial assistance grants and loans for small water systems serving fewer than 15 connections and disadvantaged communities. The San Diego County water and wastewater professional associations, as well as state Senate and Assembly members continue to support and propose specific COVID-19 relief funding and legislation for water, wastewater customers and water agencies that have incurred losses during the pandemic. On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed House Resolution 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This act includes local government assistance due to the impact of COVID-19, including revenue replacement and necessary investments in water and sewers. The bill contains other funding assistance that may take priority depending on the needs in the city. The bill included an additional provision for $500 million for low-income household drinking water and wastewater emergency assistance. The grants are awarded to the states by providing funds to owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works to reduce arrearages of and rates charged to such households for such services. Options Options for ratepayer assistance programs One program option and one funding option will combine to form each of these options for the board’s consideration. 1. Continue to provide information to ratepayers on 2-1-1 San Diego for referral to local nonprofit organizations to give donations and distribute funds for water bill assistance. Continue monitoring county, state and federal COVID-19 programs related to water bill assistance and return to the board after these programs have been evaluated to provide a recommendation on other options including costs, implementation timelines and funding recommendations May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 3 of 16 Pros • Currently, the Finance Department staff refers ratepayers in need of assistance to 2-1-1 San Diego, which is a countywide nonprofit organization that connects individuals to government financial assistance programs, San Diego Gas & Electric rate relief and local nonprofit programs. A phone number to call is included in every CMWD customer bill • This program does not require additional staff and meets Proposition 218 legal requirements • It would not exclude CMWD from any other federal, state or county water assistance programs available at a future date • The Finance Department staff also allows people to pay other customers’ bills if they call in and know the customer’s account information. This option has been available since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff cannot disclose a person’s name, account number or amount past-due Con • Data is not available to measure the effectiveness of the current program specific to water bill assistance 2. Distribute additional aid via a local third-party nonprofit organization Pro • Third party nonprofit organizations already have methods to determine eligibility for aid. Cons • There is a burden on existing CMWD and city staff • Funding would depend on federal, state and county aid or donations, general fund, applicable COVID-19 relief or non-ratepayer money • Depending on the restrictions, CMWD could be excluded from future federal and state money that may become available if a City/CMWD program already exists, similar to what occurred with the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista 3. Distribute additional aid via a city program Pro • The board would have control over the distribution of fund Con • Likely cost-prohibitive Staff recommends Option 1 for the board’s approval, continue to provide information to ratepayers on 2-1-1 San Diego for referral to local nonprofit organizations to give donations and distribute funds for water bill assistance, continue monitoring county, state and federal COVID- 19 programs related to water bill assistance and return to the board after these programs have been evaluated to provide a recommendation on other options including costs, implementation timelines and funding recommendations. May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 4 of 16 Options for funding a ratepayer assistance program Staff provides the following funding options for ratepayer assistance for the board’s consideration: 1. Make appropriation from city funds – general fund, COVID-19 relief funds (if available), city reserves or other non-ratepayer funds Pros • Avoids Proposition 218 issues • Funding could be available quickly Cons • These funding options would compete with other City funding priorities. 2. Use revenue from the lease or sale of CMWD real estate Pros • CMWD received approximately $216,000 in cell site leases on water reservoirs in FY 2020-21 and expects this revenue source to be ongoing • Additionally, CMWD may have surplus property planned for current and future sale per city council-approved Real Estate Strategic Plan (Resolution No. 2017-200). Revenue from property sales could potentially be directed toward ratepayer assistance. Cons • The loss of CMWD funds toward normal operations would result in future ongoing rate increases to make up the loss of this income. • Legal advice would be needed on the use of these funds for ratepayer bill assistance, particularly in the case of CMWD property, which was paid for by the ratepayers. 3. Use City of Carlsbad resident and/or employee donations Pro • Staff could develop a pay-it-forward program for board consideration in which members of the public and/or city employees could donate funds to pay directly to past due water bills, similar to the City of San Diego’s H20 SD program Cons • Unknown level of participation • Depending on the type of program, administrative costs could exceed donations received 4. Seek funding from future federal, state and county relief programs Pro • While eligible relief funding for the City of Carlsbad may be forthcoming, competing needs for such funding must be utilized in the best possible way to not overlap with opportunities for other funding assistance. CMWD continues to monitor federal, state and county funding opportunities that are specific for ratepayer assistance Con • If ratepayers have already received assistance from other programs, they may be disqualified for additional assistance. If CMWD received May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 5 of 16 assistance money, the share received could be smaller than those received by other cities in the region due to a focus of support to low- income areas 5. Take no action. Resume late fees when the local emergency is lifted and resume shut-off practices when the governor’s executive order is lifted Pro • Customers are more likely to work with staff if their balance is increasing at a higher rate due to late fees Con • After the state of emergency is lifted and the governor’s Executive Order is lifted, customers will still need assistance. If the board approves staff recommended program option 1, staff recommends funding option 4 for the board’s approval, seeking funding from future federal, state and county relief programs. Program option 1 would have staff continue to provide information to ratepayers on 2-1-1 San Diego for referral to local nonprofit organizations to give donations and distribute funds for water bill assistance, continue monitoring county, state and federal COVID-19 programs related to water bill assistance and return to the board after these programs have been evaluated to provide a recommendation on other options, including costs, implementation timelines and funding recommendations. After COVID-19 assistance program opportunities are exhausted, staff could research the distribution of additional aid from city funds, donations and administration of the funds through a partnership with a third-party nonprofit organization. If the board selects funding options 1, 2 or 3, CMWD staff will return at a future board meeting with a proposal that will include costs and an implementation timeline. Fiscal Analysis The fiscal impact will depend on which programs are pursued, but there is no fiscal impact to receiving this update. Next Steps If the resolution program option 1 is adopted, which includes funding option 4, CMWD staff will return to a future board meeting to provide updates and additional information. If other funding options are chosen, staff will return at a future board meeting with a proposal, including costs and an implementation timeline for the option selected. Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) This action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not require environmental review. Public Notification Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date. May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 6 of 16 Exhibits 1.CMWD resolution 2. May 5, 2020 CMWD staff report 3.Email sent to past due registered on-line accounts 4.County of San Diego 2021 Emergency Rental & Utilities Assistance Program Flyer May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 7 of 16 RESOLUTION NO. 1652 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (CMWD) DIRECTING STAFF TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO RATEPAYERS ON 2-1-1 SAN DIEGO FOR REFERRAL TO LOCAL SAN DIEGO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FUNDS THAT PROVIDE WATER BILL ASSISTANCE; AND CONTINUE TO MONITOR COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL COVID-19 PROGRAMS RELATED TO WATER BILL ASSISTANCE, AND IF APPLICABLE TO CMWD CUSTOMERS, RETURN TO THE BOARD AFTER THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN EVALUATED TO PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION ON OTHER OPTIONS INCLUDING COSTS, IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINES AND FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency as a result of the COVID-19 virus pandemic; and WHEREAS, on April 14, 2020, CMWD staff presented a report to the Board on potential funding programs for water service customers that cannot pay their water bills due to financial hardship and that staff would continue to analyze additional funding options and return to the Board in one year to give an update; and WHEREAS, on May 5, 2020, the Board adopted Resolution No. 1639, which confirmed the Executive Manager's previous COVID-19 temporary customer financial relief measures and extended them through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency; and WHEREAS, as of April 2021, outstanding bills for 425 accounts total approximately $410,000 for potable water, which represents approximately 1% of annual budgeted potable water revenue for the current fiscal year (FY) 2020-21; and WHEREAS, staff presented options for water bill assistance programs and potential funding sources for the Board's consideration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the CMWD Board of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1.That the above recitations are true and correct. 2.That staff is directed to continue to provide information to ratepayers on 2-1-1 San Diego for referral to local nonprofit organizations and San Diego County's rental and utility assistance programs for funds that provide water bill assistance; and continue to monitor county, state and federal COVID-19 programs related to water bill assistance, and if applicable to CMWD customers, May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 8 of 16 MATT HALL, PRESIDENT return to the Board after these programs have been evaluated to provide a recommendation on other options including costs, implementation timelines and funding recommendations. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District of the City of Carlsbad on the 4th day of May, 2021, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Hall, Blackburn, Acosta, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. P BARBARA ENGLESON, SECRETARY (SEAL) May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 9 of 16 Meeting Date: May 5, 2020 To: President and Board Members From: Scott Chadwick, Executive Manager Staff Contact: Mario Remillard, Meter Services and Customer Service Supervisor mario.remillard@carlsbadca.gov, 760-603-7343 Vicki Quiram, General Manager vicki.quiram@carlsbadca.gov, 760-438-2722 Subject: Temporary Relief from Certain Potable Water Bill Fees in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Recommended Action Adopt a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District confirming the executive manager’s temporary relief measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency and authorizing the executive manager to extend these measures through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency, if necessary. Executive Summary On Dec. 10, 2019, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board adopted Resolution No. 1625 approving a Residential Potable Water Service Shutoff Protection Policy for Non-Payment of Charges. This was in direct response to Senate Bill 998, the Water Shutoff Protection Act, which was signed into law Sept. 28, 2018. In addition to the measures outlined in the Senate Bill 998 policy, and due to the transition to a new utility billing system as well as the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, the CMWD’s executive manager implemented the following temporary relief measures: •Potable water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment through May 31, 2020 •Late fees will not be assessed for March, April and May 2020 •Potable water business customers who closed their accounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency may discontinue water service, which will stop the accrual of any monthly fees associated with having an active potable water service account and then, when ready to reopen, may have water service reestablished without paying a reconnection fee. After the implementation of these temporary relief measures, on April 2, 2020, California’s governor issued Executive Order No. N-42-20, which prohibits residential potable water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency and requires restoration of water service for residential water shutoffs occurring after the state of emergency began on March 4, 2020. The executive order also prohibits commercial water shutoffs if the business is in one of the critical infrastructure sectors. EXHIBIT 2 May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 10 of 16 Staff recommends the CMWD Board confirm the executive manager’s temporary relief measures. Staff also recommends the CMWD Board authorize the executive manager to extend the temporary relief measures to June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency, if necessary. Discussion The Utilities Billing Division in the City of Carlsbad’s Finance Department manages the Carlsbad Municipal Water District’s water billings and collections. In March 2020, the city implemented a new utility billing system. Because of billing delays related to the system’s implementation, water shutoffs and late fee charges were suspended in March and April. In addition, after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, the executive manager extended the suspension of potable water shutoffs and late fee charges until May 31, 2020. The executive manager also authorized a program allowing potable water business customers that closed their accounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency to contact the Utilities Billing Division to discontinue water service. This action stops the accrual of any monthly fees associated with having an active potable water service account. When the business establishment is ready to reopen, the program allows the business customers to reestablish their accounts and have potable water service resume without paying reconnection fees. CMWD Ordinance No. 45 contains CMWD’s water connection and rate rules, including CMWD’s late fee rule. Article II, Section 3 of Ordinance No. 45 allows the executive manager, from time to time, to issue rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of the ordinance. As the ordinance does not address states of emergency or authorize executive manager action in response to states of emergency, staff recommends the CMWD Board confirm the executive manager’s decision to implement these temporary relief measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency. Staff also recommends the Board authorize the executive manager to extend the temporary relief measures to June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency, if necessary. Fiscal Analysis The foregone revenue from waiving potable water bill late fees for March, April and May 2020 is estimated at $52,000. To date, there are five businesses that have asked to have their potable water service discontinued. The fiscal impact of waiving the discontinuation and re- connection fees for these five businesses is approximately $800. Staff will continue to track business requests that are received. Next Steps CMWD shall implement temporary relief measures as confirmed and authorized by the CMWD Board. Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) Under Public Resources Code section 21065, this action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act in that it has no potential to May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 11 of 16 cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require further environmental review. Public Notification This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date. Exhibits 1. CMWD Board resolution May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 12 of 16 RESOLUTION NO. 1639 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (CMWD BOARD) OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE MANAGER'S TEMPORARY RELIEF MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC STATE OF EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE MANAGER TO EXTEND THESE MEASURES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2020, OR THE END OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, IF NECESSARY. WHEREAS, there is currently a COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; and WHEREAS, on Dec. 10, 2019, the CMWD Board adopted Resolution No. 1625, approving a Residential Potable Water Service Shutoff Protection Policy for Non-Payment of Charges in compliance with California Senate Bill 998, the Water Shutoff Protection Act, enacted on Sept. 28, 2018; and WHEREAS, in addition to the measures outlined in the Senate Bill 998 policy, and due to the transition to a new utility billing system as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, the Executive Manager implemented the following temporary relief measures: (1) Potable water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment through May 31, 2020 (2) Late fees will not be assessed on all utility bills for March, April and May 2020 (3) Potable water business customers that have closed their accounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency may contact the Finance Department Utilities Billing Division to discontinue water service, which will stop the accrual of any monthly fees associated with having an active potable water service account, and then, when ready to reopen, may have water service reestablished without paying a reconnection fee; and WHEREAS, after implementation of these temporary relief measures, California's Governor issued Executive Order No. N-42-20, which prohibits residential potable water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, requires restoration of water service for residential water shutoffs occurring after the state of emergency began on March 4, 2020, and prohibits commercial water shutoffs if the business is in a critical infrastructure sector; and WHEREAS, staff recommends the CMWD Board confirm the temporary relief measures implemented by the Executive Manager; and WHEREAS, staff recommends the CMWD Board authorize the Executive Manager to extend the temporary relief measures through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of emergency, if necessary. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 13 of 16 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the CMWD Board confirms the temporary relief measures implemented by the Executive Manager. 3. That the CMWD Board authorizes the Executive Manager to extend the temporary relief measures through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of emergency, if necessary. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Special Meeting of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District of the City of Carlsbad on the 5th day of May, 2020, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. None. None. MATT HALL, President ~u:::bL: ~en BARBARA ENGLESON, Secr~ry (SEAL) May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 14 of 16 Dear Carlsbad Resident, Your water utility bill has a past due balance, and we wanted to make you aware of an emergency rental and utility bill assistance program that the County of San Diego is currently offering to City of Carlsbad residents. Funding is available to help eligible households in qualifying areas who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters who need help with rent and utilities. For more information regarding this program, see the links listed below. Please note, program applications are due by March 16, 2021. •View the program flyer •View the FAQ sheet •Apply here See additional resources regarding utility assistance in the County of San Diego. The City of Carlsbad is here to help you during these unprecedented times. If you have questions or concerns, you can call the Finance Department at 760-602-2420 for customer assistance. Visit our Website EXHIBIT 3 May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 15 of 16 County of San Diego 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Have you been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you need help with rent and utilities? The County of San Diego’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps eligible households in qualifying areas who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters behind on rent and utilities. Areas Served: All areas of the San Diego region except for the cities of San Diego* and Chula Vista*. •Carlsbad •Coronado •Del Mar •El Cajon •Encinitas •Escondido •Imperial Beach •La Mesa •Lemon Grove •National City •Oceanside •Poway •San Marcos •Santee •Solana Beach •Vista •Unincorporated Communities Eligibility Criteria: •Household income must be at or below 80% Area Median Income (See chart below) •Household must have experienced a financial hardship directly or indirectly related to COVID-19. •Household is at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. •Households currently receiving rental subsidies such as Section 8, rapid rehousing assistance, or rental assistance from non-profit agencies may apply to cover their portion of rent. ERAP assistance cannot duplicate the assistance the household is currently receiving. Apply Online Starting March 2, 2021. Apply at www.sdhcd.org. Only one application per household will be processed. Applicants will be able to check their status on the application portal at any point in the process. If you do not have internet access and need assistance in completing an application, call (858) 694-4801. A County representative will be able to assist you. For more information on ERAP, visit www.sdhcd.org San Diego County Income Limits (80% AMI) Number of People in Household Income equal to or less than the following: 1 $67,900 2 $77,600 3 $87,300 4 $97,000 5 $104,800 6 $112,550 7 $120,300 8 $128,050 *Residents of the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista can visit www.ERAPsandiego.org for information about rental assistance in their area. May 4, 2021 Item #8 Page 16 of 16