Low-income families continue to struggle to find a place to live on the Central Coast

The Housing Authority of Monterey County said thousands of people are waiting to find affordable units, but competition is fierce.

“The vacancy rate in Monterey County since I’ve been here has gone from 4 percent vacancy rate to like 1.85 now,” said Joni Ruelaz the housing programs manager.

Ruelaz said prior to 2015, the Housing Choice Voucher Program had an 85 percent success rate. That number is now down to just 60 percent of families finding a home.

“You also have nonprofit agencies that are trying to find units for their clients, you also have regular market families looking for units,” said Ruelaz.

People in the program pay 30 percent of their income towards rent and the housing authority covers the rest. But if applicants don’t find a home in four months, their voucher expires and it can take two to three years to get selected again.

“If you look at a senior citizen or a disabled person or a veteran that are on fixed incomes they can’t afford an $1,100 a month rent,” said Ruelaz.

Aside from market competition, now more than ever, Ruelaz said many owners also prefer not to rent to low-income tenants.

“The owner is going to look at what the income is of the person, (compare it) to somebody that works to someone on a fixed income,” said Ruelaz. “They are going to pick that person that works.”

The housing authority is working to give owners incentives, such as money, if they open their doors to families enrolled in the program.

“We need to do something to get our families units,” said Ruelaz.