Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) provides a rental assistance program for residents facing the economic impact of COVID-19 who have fallen behind on their rent. The program is for those who are at least one month behind on their rent.
The program was started from an emergency services grant given during the COVID-19 relief efforts by the government.
“We’re able to help people pay off up to $10,000 in back rent… So, we’re able to help a lot of the people here in Kern County. Especially anybody who’s under 50 percent of the area median income.” said Ian Sharples, housing services program manager for CAPK.
The program will be going until September 30, 2022, and Sharples encourages anyone who qualifies to apply right away.
“To qualify for the program you just need to be behind on rent. We encourage anybody regardless of immigration status to contact us,” said Sharples. “If we’re not able to help you we’d probably be able to contact you with somebody who can help on back rent.”
Sharples said the program is important because Kern County does have a large homeless rate and a 1 percent vacancy rate in terms of housing units available.
“Homelessness is a housing program so the best way to tackle homelessness is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. That’s why we’re really focused on keeping people in the homes where they are right now so they don’t have to go through that process,” said Sharples.
To apply or get more information people can visit their website or call 2-1-1 and CAPK staff will guide them to what they need.
For residents in Ridgecrest CAPK will be at the Oasis Family Resource center to take walk-in applications as well on the following dates.
- June 7, 2022
- June 21, 2022
- July 5, 2022
- July 19, 2022
- August 2, 2022
- August 16, 2022
- August 30, 2022