The Salinas City Council unanimously approved 7-0, critical funding agreements totaling $400,000 to support the city's Rental Assistance Program (RAP) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
“It's a good program and I’m glad we're expanding it,” said Councilmember Andrew Sandoval.
The funding, appropriated from the City's General Fund, will be divided between two local agencies: the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), which will receive $300,000, and the Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO), which will see its funding increased by $100,000 to a total of $200,000.
These investments aim to provide short-term rental assistance, eviction prevention services, and housing stabilization for Salinas residents facing financial hardships that place them at risk of losing their homes.
The targeted support is expected to aid at least 115 households, comprising approximately 272 individuals, reflecting the City’s dedication to mitigating homelessness, according to Community Development Director, Lisa Brinton.
“This funding is not just 100 percent for rental assistance, it is also for program assistance,” said Brinton.
MCOE Connections Program will use its funding to assist families with children, prioritizing those involved with Monterey County school districts. The allocated resources will cover rental assistance, emergency hotel stays for households immediately without housing, and program administration.
Meanwhile, ECHO will focus on rental counseling, fair housing education, tenant-landlord mediation, and stabilization services for households without minor children, complementing financial aid with long-term housing support, according to Brinton.
The program's effectiveness was evident in its pilot phase during the previous fiscal year, where more than 250 households received assistance with 97 percent of those households maintaining housing stability post-intervention, according to council members.
For more infraction, visit Salinas.gov/City-Hall/Services/Housing/Homeless-Services/Rental-Assistance-Program
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