The City of Ontario has created the following two new programs with CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to aid qualified low-income Ontario residents in recovering from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic:
Homeowner Utility Assistance Program:
This program provides emergency grants, for up to three months, short-term utility assistance payments for qualified low-income households that had a documented loss of income related to COVID-19. Assistance is restricted to a one-time payment of deferred utility payments (water, sewer, trash, electric, and gas service) that occurred during the City’s emergency declaration. Assistance is also available to qualified rental property owners of small rental properties (1 – 4 units per property). The rental property must be occupied with a minimum of 51% of the tenants qualifying as low-income and having requested a deferment of rental payments based upon the City’s Anti-Eviction Moratorium. Maximum assistance is limited to $1,500 per property.
Please use the link here to complete the pre-screening application to determine if your household will be eligible to apply for the Homeowner Utility Assistance Program.
Short-Term Rental and Utility Assistance Program (Renters Only): This program provides emergency grants, for up to three months, to qualified very low-income renters that had a documented loss in household income related to COVID-19. Eligible uses of funds include deferred rent payments to prevent eviction and deferred utility payments. Maximum assistance is limited to $5,000 per household.
Program forms are available for download below. Page 2 of the application provides a checklist detailing all documents required to be turned in at time of application submittal.
If you need assistance or would like to request an emailed or mailed application packet, please contact the Ontario Housing Department at (909) 395-2006.
Incomplete applications to the Short-Term Rental and Utility Assistance Program will not be accepted.
Programs have limited funds and assistance is provided on a first-qualified, first-served basis.