SAN DIEGO (KGTV) \u2014 The Urban League of San Diego County launched a new housing assistance program that has already helped six families keep their homes since starting last month, addressing the city’s ongoing affordability crisis.<\/p>\n
The organization received $350,000 to help renters and homeowners on the verge of homelessness through their Housing Financial Assistance Program.<\/p>\n
“San Diego is very expensive. Rents are $3,000, 4,000or4,000 or 5,000 a month,” said Al Abdallah, president and CEO of the Urban League of San Diego County. “People are behind on their rents, behind on their mortgages.”<\/p>\n
The program provides up to $10,000 in rental or mortgage relief with no repayment required.<\/p>\n
“This particular program provides about $10,000 of rental or mortgage relief. No catches, don’t pay it back,” Abdallah said.<\/p>\n
So far, the Urban League has received about 60 applications. Most applicants have lost their jobs, experienced increased cost of living, or are struggling financially.<\/p>\n
Viola Paul, a San Diego resident, benefited from the program after her sons lost their jobs, leaving her to shoulder all financial responsibilities.<\/p>\n
“When I first moved there, like my rent was like, I don’t know, $1,200 and now I’m paying like $200, almost $2,400 for the same unit,” Paul said.<\/p>\n
Paul received $9,000 from the program, paid directly to her landlord.<\/p>\n
“I have to catch up with my bill, their bill, like car loan and stuff like that, too. So, all that put me into a hole where I wasn’t able to pay my rent,” Paul said.<\/p>\n
Despite helping several families, Abdallah said the demand far exceeds available resources.<\/p>\n
“We have nearly $400,000 of request for rental and mortgage relief. So, we don’t have enough funds to meet the need,” Abdallah said.<\/p>\n
The organization expects the funding to run out by next month, though Abdallah remains hopeful they will receive additional funding to continue the program.<\/p>\n