Sacramento Emergency Rental Assistance (SERA) Program
As of August 28th, 2024, the Sacramento Emergency Rental Assistance (SERA) program has exhausted all funds to assist households living within the City of Sacramento limits. The SERA program will continue to assist households prioritizing those who have received an unlawful detainer and live within the Sacramento County jurisdiction (outside the City of Sacramento boundaries).
PROGRAM UPDATE
THE SERA PROGRAM WAITLIST IS CLOSED
As of December 15th, 2023, the Sacramento Emergency Rental Assistance (SERA) waitlist is closed as remaining funds are very limited. The SERA program will prioritize assisting those with an eviction filed at the court until funds are exhausted.
If you receive an Unlawful Detainer (which has been filed with the court) please email sera@shra.org with the appropriate documentation including a call back number. SERA staff will reach out to you via email for further information if funds are available to process your application. If there are any remaining funds after unlawful detainer/court related applications are processed, it will be utilized to prevent households from eviction. To receive the funds, the applicants must still be residing in the rental unit.
If you have already applied for SERA funding and you received a notice from the Sacramento Superior Court advising that your landlord has filed an Unlawful Detainer case against you, it is important that you notify the court that you have a pending SERA application. Additional information regarding court notification can be found on the Legal Services of Northern California’s website at https://lsnc.net/lsnc-eviction-defense. Additionally, please email your Unlawful Detainer documents to sera@shra.org.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
THE SERA PROGRAM WAITLIST IS CLOSED
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), in partnership with the City and the County of Sacramento, through federal and state funding, is offering emergency rent and utilities assistance for renters living anywhere in Sacramento County who have experienced a reduction in household income or other financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible applicants can receive up to 18 months of assistance for past rent and utilities owed. Please note that for any months where utility assistance is provided, but rental assistance is not provided, such months will count against the limit of 18 months of assistance which can be received by a household.
The total assistance amount available will depend on household need.
Applicants that have received an eviction notice from their landlord will be given priority. An eviction notice must be submitted with the application in order to receive priority. These applications will be processed according to application date or court date.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must currently rent their home anywhere in the County of Sacramento.
To be eligible for assistance with rent and/or utilities, applicant’s gross annual income must be at or below the following 2022 low-income limits:
| 1 person | $56,750 |
| 2 person | $64,850 |
| 3 person | $72,950 |
| 4 person | $81,050 |
| 5 person | $87,550 |
| 6 person | $94,050 |
| 7 person | $100,550 |
| 8 person | $107,000 |
Additionally, applicants must:
- have at least one household member that:
- is qualified for unemployment benefits, OR
- has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or has experienced a financial hardship during COVID-19,
AND
- have an unlawful detainer
Households that previously applied for and/or received rental assistance are eligible to apply again.
An eligible household may receive up to a total of 18 months of assistance towards past due rent and utilities, subject to the availability of funds.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR TENANT APPLICATION
One form of identification for the person applying
Government-issued photo ID
Driver’s license
California ID
Passport
Birth certificate
Marriage License
Divorce Decree
Copy of a certified, court-ordered maintenance award (if legal) or a notarized statement declaring separation
Public assistance participation documentation
An employment identification card from the applicant’s employer
Tax return or other tax document that includes the applicant’s name
All pages of the Lease
Documentation received from landlord showing amount owed in arrears (if applying for rental assistance)
Past Due Notice
Statement of Rental Arrears
Current Rent Ledger
Current utility bills showing amounts owed (if applying for utility assistance)
SMUD
PG&E
Water
Sewer
Trash
Internet
Documentation of all current household income for past the 2 months
Paystubs
Benefit letters from SSI, SSA,
Unemployment/EDD Insurance Award Notice
Cash Aid (TANF)
Child Support
Other
If you have received an eviction notice, please provide one of the following:
Pay or quit notice
Unlawful detainer notice
Notice to vacate
Other eviction notice from the landlord
What documents can be used to show the landlord / tenant relationship? (more than one of these documents may be requested)
A signed lease
A rental verification form signed by both the landlord and the tenant
Bank statements showing the tenant’s withdrawals and the landlord’s deposit of funds for rent and a self-attestation
Copies of cashed checks, or money order receipts
Tax documents
Verification of payment prior to assistance being requested
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TO APPLY OR RECERTIFY
THE SERA PROGRAM WAITLIST IS CLOSED
If you receive an Unlawful Detainer (which has been filed with the court) please email sera@shra.org with the appropriate documentation including a call back number. SERA staff will reach out to you via email for further information if funds are available to process your application.
- Please DO NOT submit duplicate applications, as they will not be accepted.
- Important Note – Some e-mail services may occasionally route an item from the SERA Program to your Spam or Junk folder, which is usually located below your Inbox in your e-mail account. Please see the FAQ’s for tips.
Additional Renter, Financial, and Employment Resources
ANY QUESTIONS? Please contact us at: sera@shra.org or (916) 449-1266
This project is being supported in whole or in part, with federal funding (Assistance Listing Number 21.023) awarded to the City and County of Sacramento and the State of California by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
REPORTS
Starting June 2024, SERA program reports will be provided quarterly.