Guidance for Renters/Homeowners
Under legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 31, no tenant can be evicted before February 1, 2021 as a result of rent owed due to a COVID-19 related hardship accrued between March 4 – August 31, 2020, if the tenant provides a declaration of hardship according to the legislation’s timelines. Find more information on this COVID-19 tenant protection legislation here.
211 Resource Hotline
If you are in need of immediate housing assistance, call 211 to get connected with the most up-to-date resources available to you.
State, County, and Local Resources
County of San Bernardino Housing/Rental Resource Page
Short-term rental and utility assistance is available for Ontario residents.
Rental/mortgage and utility assistance is available for Rialto residents.
Renters
If you are impacted by COVID-19, you may be able to delay rent payments and/or avoid eviction. If you are unable to pay your rent due to COVID-19, you must notify your landlords in writing no later than seven days after your rent is due. Know your rights as a renter--click HERE for tenant protections made by Inland Counties Legal Societies. (Note: the document does not represent legal advice; please consult an attorney for legal advice).
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: COVID-19 Resources for Renters
Los Angeles County
A permanent Rent Stabilization Ordinance has been in effect in Los Angeles County since March 19 and retroactive to March 4, 2020. For questions regarding this ordinance, call (833) 223-RENT or email rent@dcba.lacounty.gov. More information can be found here.
Additional Resources
Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. (ICLSI)
Offers legal services to low-income persons residing in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Appointments/Intake Line: (888) 245-4257
Senior Line: (800) 977-4257
Website
Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board (IFHMB)
IFHMB does not provide legal services, but information, understanding of rights, and informal mediation between the landlord and tenant.
General Line: (909) 984-2254
To report housing discrimination: (909) 984-2245 ext. 175
Email: info@ifhmb.com or fairhousing@ifmb.com
Website
Housing Authority of San Bernardino County (HASBC)
Provides resources for individuals living in HASBC housing in San Bernardino County.
San Bernardino Office: (909) 890-9533
Upland Office: (909) 982-2649
Victorville Office: (760) 243-1043
Website
Housing Rights Center
Offers resources for tenants and landlords for LA County.
Phone: (800) 477-5977
Email: info@housingrightscenter.org
Website
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
Pomona Self-Help Legal Access Center
Provides resources for LA County residents who may be served an eviction notice despite hardship due to COVID-19.
General Help Line: 1 (800) 433-6251 (Mon-Fri, 9 AM to 5 PM)
Pomona Self-Help Legal Access Center Line: (818) 485-0572
Email: PSHpublic@nlsla.org
Website
Homeowners
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: COVID-19 Resources for Homeowners
On August 27, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced a foreclosure moratorium extension on all Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae mortgages until at least December 31, 2020. More information can be found here.
Congress passed the CARES Act which allows up to 6 months (120 days) of forbearance (with an additional 120-day extension, if needed) for all federally-backed loans. This includes FHA, Fannie, Freddie, VA, USDA, and the Native American/Native Hawaiian Home Loan Programs. Forbearance is when payments are put on hold for a certain period of time, they do not accrue interest and fees, but the postponed/forborne payments will have to be paid back at a later date.
How to know if your mortgage is federally-backed:
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You can call your loan servicer (the entity you make your monthly mortgage payments to) and ask if your loan is federally back.
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You can go online to lookup if your single-family mortgage is backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac:
General information to understand your options:
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Fannie Mae
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Freddie Mac