Salinas Rent Assistance program faces budgeting hurdles
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) - The City of Salinas is looking at a rental assistance program as an alternative for the community. Some local folks remain with many questions and concerns as to this potential decision. City Council presented with the option to emulate a renter's assistance program, Tuesday afternoon.
Among the projects looked at, the city of Monterey which in the past has used $250 thousand in general fund money.
“The staff will start looking for financial partners in the city and maybe in the county,” Councilmember for District two, Tony Barrera, says. “They're going to be bringing in other groups that can assist us on how to figure this program out.”
The assistance program presentation included those whose rent is more than 80 percent of their income, senior citizens and other eligibility requirements to consider through a renters application process. The projected cost, more than $500 thousand in employee wages, technology fees, and other additional expenses.
“Where's the funding for this rental assistance program coming from?” Luis Xago Juárez, community organizer with Building Healthy Communities, worries the city does not have enough funds.
“Is it coming from taxpayers? What that does is it taps into our taxpayer, our pool, our money to go and support the efforts of the landlords,” he adds.
City Council suggested searching for local and external partners before pulling from general funds. Amy Salmina, local property manager, says this assistance program would be beneficial. “I believe that there are funds that will be remaining from the rental assistance program to seed it. Other organizations that Aurelio (Salazar) mentioned, maybe FEMA, the mayor mentioned, community involvement, maybe the one-time fee from property owners.”
The council was advised that many rental assistance programs have been successful in the past. A common practice among those has been pulling resources from the city's general fund. Councilmember Barrera feels the city should be careful with that decision.
“We have to be conscientious that that's where we pay our employees,” Barrerra adds. “We have to make sure that if we do get money from the general fund, that we don't affect people's employment as well.”
Among other alternatives, the city council also suggested increasing the minimum wage in Salinas. The decision for this rental assistance program will still take a few months.
