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Santa Barbara assistance programs.

Help with housing, rent, and eviction prevention

Charity organizations, non profits, and other groups in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria will be receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars that will be used to provide housing assistance, prevent evictions, and help the homeless.

Federal government stimulus money from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) will be used to provide financial assistance, counseling, and other services to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. So rent help, and money to stop an eviction will be offered. In addition, money will be used to aid those who are currently experiencing homelessness. The goal is to quickly rehouse and stabilize those families.

The five organizations that will be receiving funds, and that people should contact for assistance, include the Good Samaritan Shelters/Catholic Charities ((805) 965-7045) (collaborative), $345,000 to pass out; The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County (phone 805-963-6754) has $65,000 to distribute; The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, $41,000; Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County, $31,058; and also the Peoples Self-Help Housing Corporation ((805) 962-5152) has about $28,000 in funds.

Some of the conditions of the programs include at least 60 percent of the rent assistance and homeless-prevention funds must be spent within two years. However, all funds need to be spent within three years at the latest.

Catholic Charities will be overseeing the prevention side of the rent and eviction assistance program by offering services, that include for example, rent or help with utility bills. Also, Good Samaritan will be dealing with the task of placing homeless families or individuals in short or long term housing and also paying for rental security deposits or a couple months of rent.

Also, the Legal Aid Foundation deals with issues regarding housing discrimination, but the money being provided to them be used to prevent evictions and homelessness by negotiating with landlords on nonpayment of rent issues.

The money can also be used in several ways. For example, eligible activities for the federal government funds includes security deposits, rental assistance, utility payments, utility deposits, moving costs, and even hotel/motel vouchers for temporary housing. Also housing relocation and stabilization services are offered, including case management, legal services, outreach, housing search and placement, and debt help and credit repair.

Get emergency financial assistance and cash grants

The following charities and non-profit agencies provide help for bills, rent, other expenses, and can also refer people to federal and California state government programs, as well as local Santa Barbara agencies.

• Catholic Charities - In addition to the housing programs mentioned above, Santa Barbara Catholic charities can also help with offering free food, clothing, energy bill help, and household items in an emergency. They also offer credit and debt counseling services. (805) 965-7045
   
• Alexander House Foundation - This is a program that offers financial assistance and grants for housing to fixed income seniors and long time residents. Emergency grants are available for paying for rental deposits, moving, dental bills, prescription medications, medical expenses, clothes and food. (805) 966-3665. Read more on how to get prescription drugs in California.
   
• Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara - This local non-profit agency help with a variety of housing issues. They develops and manage housing assistance programs for low-income households. among other programs, they administer the federal Section 8 rental housing assistance program in the private rental market. they can help people deal with late mortgages, and offer foreclosure counseling. Also, debt reduction assistance is offered. They are a HUD-certified comprehensive counseling agency servicing homeowners and renters across the county. Last, but not least, they also administers Mortgage Credit Certificate programs for first time home buyers. (805) 967-3402. Click here for additional California foreclosure and mortgage programs.

Energy bill services and help

Energy Services/CAC - Offers a couple different utility and energy programs. They run the weatherization program, and assistance is available to help people reduce their energy bills. they also run the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which provides cash grants for paying utility bills. (805) 964-8857

Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County ((805) 964-8857) is another agency to turn to for utility bill assistance. They can help people apply to federal government programs, and direct consumers with information on how to get help directly from local utility companies. They can also refer people on how to get assistance in dealing with credit issues, including accessing help and assistance programs from debt collectors. One area of focus in particular is how to get help from medical debt collectors in California. Click here to read more.

Low income medical and dental programs

The Eastside Neighborhood Medical and Dental Clinic provides low income and uninsured patients with basic and preventative dental and medical care. They also offer dental health education for children and families. Among other health care services, the facility offers full dental services which include: dental exams, x-rays, and cleaning. General medical care, including check ups and other health care services, are also provided to Santa Barbara patients. (805) 884-1998

Three other free medical clinics that offer a variety of health and medical care include Medically Indigent Adults ((805) 681-5399), Franklin Public Health Clinic (805) 568-2099), and also the Santa Barbara County Health Clinic (805) 681-5488). All of these clinics provide services to people who are working poor, or who lack health insurance and access to government assistance programs.