Application period now closed.
RC Cares COVID-19 Community Relief Program
About the Programs
RC Cares COVID-19 Community Relief Program
The Rancho Cucamonga City Council to action to establish the RC Cares Community Relief program in order to utilize the City’s allocation of CARES Act funding to fund a number of relief programs to assist its residents and businesses who have experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These programs include:
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program – Grants of up to $1,200 per month for three (3) months will be awarded to 171 residents.*
- Residential and Business Rental Forgiveness Program – Grants up to $1,200 are anticipated to be awarded to a maximum of 308 residential tenants. Grants up to a maximum of $8,000 to be awarded to a maximum of 47 commercial businesses.*
- Outdoor Business Operations Assistance Program – Grants of $2,000 will be available to assist up to 50 businesses.*
- County COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Match Program – Grants up to $2,500 will be available to assist up to 160 businesses.*
* Note that these dollar allocations to each program are estimated at this time. The actual number of grants may shift between these programs depending on program demand. The City reserves the right to modify the grant program at any time.
How to Apply
Residents and businesses should apply online at www.CityofRC/RCCares. The City will receive applications from August 24, 2020, until September 4, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after 5:00 p.m. on September 4, 2020, will not be processed.
Lottery and Selection Process
A lottery will be used to determine the applications that will be funded for each RC Cares program. The objective of the lottery is to randomly select applications for funding from each of the RC Cares programs.
Applications eligible for the lottery will be individuals that have submitted a completed application for the applicable RC Cares program, and have satisfied the first round of basic screening requirements. Applications that are not eligible for the applicable RC Cares program will not be included.
Applications will be selected and reviewed for program eligibility as follows:
- All applications will have a first screening for basic eligibility (i.e., Rancho Cucamonga residency for residential programs and income.) All applications that pass this first screening will move into the lottery process.
- A lottery will be held to select applications for next review.
- Applications selected in the lottery will be reviewed in detail. This review will include verification of documentation submitted as part of the application. City staff may contact applicants for additional documentation or to answer questions. Applicants that do not provide requested information within five (5) business days of being contacted will be deemed ineligible. The City’s decision regarding application eligibility is final.
- All applicants will receive notification by email to let them know if their application is approved or not approved for funding.
Payments
Payments will be processed in October with a check sent via USPS. For participants in the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Forgiveness Programs, payments will be made directly to the landlord. By processing the check, the landlord agrees that the money will be applied towards the tenant’s rent.
General Program Rules
The following Program Rules applies to all the RC Cares Programs:
- Applications will not be accepted outside of the open application window of August 24, 2020 to September 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
- Applicants may apply for more than one program. Each program has different eligibility requirements that must be met to be considered for funding under that particular program.
- If an individual applies to more than one program, each will be entered into the lottery as individual applications. The applicant may be selected to receive funding for all, some, or none of the programs.
- For a business owner that has multiple businesses located in Rancho Cucamonga, each business is eligible to be considered for funding. A separate application must be submitted for each separate business, which will be entered into the lottery as part of the selection process.
If you require assistance with the application process, please contact the City of Rancho Cucamonga by phone at (909) 774-CARES (2273) or by email at RCCares@CityofRC.us
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Residential)
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides three (3) months of assistance with rent, up to $1,200 per month, to prevent eviction for residential tenants financially impacted by COVID-19.
Program Rules and Eligibility:
- Applications will be selected for funding by lottery
- Applicants are not eligible for funding if their landlord is an immediate family member.
- Payments are made directly to the landlord.
Applicants must:
- Reside in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Have a current and valid lease or provide proof of rent payment history
- Demonstrate financial hardship that was created due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- NOT have received other rental assistance from any governmental agency.
- Households with Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), or households that live in Project-Based voucher units or receive other government rental assistance, are NOT eligible.
- Were current on their rent as of March 2020.
- Cannot exceed 80 percent of the County of San Bernardino Area Median Income (AMI) based on Household size (see chart below).
Rental Forgiveness Program for Residential Tenants
In March 2020, the City of Rancho Cucamonga implemented an eviction moratorium that allowed residential tenants experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to defer their April or May 2020 rent payments. This program assists these households that deferred their rent under the City’s eviction moratorium, by paying on their behalf, one (1) month of deferred rent, up to $1,200, directly to the landlord.
Program Rules and Eligibility:
- Applications will be selected for funding by lottery
- Funding is available only to those residential tenants that, under the City’s Eviction Moratorium, deferred their rent. Verification from the landlord required.
- Applicants are not eligible for funding if their landlord is an immediate family member.
- Payments are made directly to the landlord.
Applicants must:
- Reside in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Were current on their rent as of March 2020.
- Have a gross annualized household income below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) as published by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department. Household income is the annual gross income of all adult household members that is projected to be received during the coming 12-month period and will be used to determine program eligibility.
Business Rental Forgiveness Program for Small Businesses
In March 2020, the City of Rancho Cucamonga implemented an eviction moratorium that allowed commercial tenants experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to defer their April and/or May 2020 rent payments. This program assists small businesses (less than 100 employees), which deferred their rent under the City’s eviction moratorium by paying on their behalf, one month of deferred rent, up to $8,000, directly to the landlord.
Program Rules and Eligibility:
- Applications will be selected for funding by lottery
- Funding priority will be given to those businesses that have not previously been recipients of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or received loans of $150,000 or less. The second priority will be given to businesses that received loans over $150,000 up to $1 million.
- Funding is available only to those businesses that deferred rent under the City’s Eviction Moratorium, deferred their rent. Verification from the landlord required.
- Payments are made directly to the landlord.
Businesses must:
- Be physically located in the City of Rancho Cucamonga
- Have experienced financial hardship due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Have fewer than 100 employees (Part-time employees count as .5)
- Were current on their rent as of March 2020
- Have NOT received a federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $1 million or more. Any business that received a federal PPP loan of $1 million or more is not eligible to participate.
- Comply with current State and County COVID-19 Health Orders
- Have a valid Rancho Cucamonga business license, click HERE to verify.
County COVID-Compliant Business Partnership City Match
Earlier this year, San Bernardino County launched its COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program that provides support for local small businesses by offsetting costs up to $2,500 related to complying with COVID-19 business protocols and providing technical support to all eligible San Bernardino County businesses who apply for the program. The City of Rancho Cucamonga, to further assist its businesses in achieving compliance, will match the County’s assistance with an additional $2,500 in funding relief for Rancho Cucamonga businesses that are participants in the County program.
Program Rules and Eligibility:
- Funding priority will be given to those businesses that have not previously been recipients of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or received loans of $150,000 or less. The second priority will be given to businesses that received loans over $150,000 up to $1 million.
- Short Term Rentals are NOT eligible to participate in this program
- Applications will be selected for funding by lottery
Businesses must:
- Be a participant in San Bernardino County’s COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program
- Be physically located in the City of Rancho Cucamonga
- Have NOT received a federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $1 million or more. Any business that received a federal PPP loan of $1 million or more is not eligible to participate.
- Comply with current State and County COVID-19 Health Orders
- Have a valid Rancho Cucamonga business license, click HERE to verify
Click here to learn more about the County's COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program
Outdoor Business Operations Assistance Program
Program Rules and Eligibility:
- Funding priority will be given to those businesses that have not previously been recipients of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or received loans of $150,000 or less. The second priority will be given to businesses that received loans over $150,000 up to $1 million. Any business that received a federal PPP loan of $1 million or more is not eligible to participate.
- Eligible expenses must have been made after the Governor’s Executive Order to shut down restaurants on July 1, 2020.
- Itemized receipts dated after July 1, 2020, must be submitted for reimbursement. Only costs related to transitioning to outdoor operations are eligible for reimbursement.
- Applications will be selected for funding by lottery.
Businesses must:
- Be physically located in the City of Rancho Cucamonga
- Have NOT received a federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $1 million or more. Any business that received a federal PPP loan of $1 million or more is not eligible to participate.
- Comply with current State and County COVID-19 Health Orders
- Have a valid Rancho Cucamonga business license, click HERE to verify
Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Rancho Cucamonga is pleased to announce the launch of the RC Cares Program as part of the COVID-19 Community Relief Program. The RC Cares Program was approved by the Rancho Cucamonga City Council on July 15, 2020 and will provide $1.87 million in relief through four economic assistance opportunities for Rancho Cucamonga residents and business owners.
Is the application available in multiple languages?
Yes, we are working hard to provide the application documents in at least English and Spanish. If other languages are needed, please call (909) 774-CARE (2273) or by email.
When can I apply?
Applications will be available between 8:00 am on Monday, August 24, 2020, through 5:00 pm on September 4, 2020. Please review the guidelines, qualifications, and the required documents that will be needed to complete the application. Do not begin an application until the required documents are available for uploading. Applications will be accepted only through the Online Application Portal, available on this webpage beginning August 24th. If assistance is required to submit your application, please call (909) 774-CARE (2273) or email. Selection will occur through a lottery process, so it is not first-come, first-served.
If I receive assistance through the program, do I have to pay it back?
No. The RC Cares program is sourced from Federal funds that do not need to be paid back; unless any overpayment or misrepresentation and/or fraudulent information provided in the application.
How long will it take to process my application?
Our goal is to process applications and issue payment within 3 to 4 weeks from the close of the application period through the end of October. Funding for the RC Cares program is from CARES Act funding, so processing time may be extended if deemed necessary for application review or until City receives the necessary funding.
How does the lottery system work?
A lottery system will be a randomized number generator used to select eligible grant recipients and provides equitable access for all City renters. The applications received early in the application period will not have priority over applications received later in the application period.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Must be a residential renter in the City of Rancho Cucamonga; zip codes 91730, 91701, 91739, 91737
- Must have a current and valid lease or provide proof of rent payment history.
- Renter must demonstrate a financial hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Must NOT have received other rental assistance from any governmental agency.
- Must have been current on the March 2020 rent.
- Cannot exceed 80 percent of the County of San Bernardino Area Median Income (AMI) based on Household size (see chart below).
How can I track the status of my application?
Upon the submittal of an application and required documents, a “Thank You” page will be displayed, and an email notification will be sent to applicant with a Case Number.
I have multiple adults living in my household. Can any adults listed on the lease apply?
Yes, any adult (18 years of age or older) that is listed on the lease can apply for rental assistance. However, only ONE application should be submitted per household. Additional applications submitted for one household will be disqualified and not considered for funding.
I am a Rancho Cucamonga resident experiencing challenges with paying rent. However, I have not experienced a loss of employment or reduced income due to COVID-19. Am I eligible to participate in the program?
No, you are not eligible to participate. The purpose of the RC Cares program is to provide financial relief to renters experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, such as a loss of employment or reduction in hours of employment.
I paid my March rent, but I couldn’t pay my April rent. Am I eligible?
Yes. If you were current on your rent in March 2020 and you are eligible.
I already terminated my lease. Can I still apply to be reimbursed?
No, you must have a current lease and be living in the unit as your primary residence.
I owed my landlord rent/was in eviction proceedings as of March 31, 2020. Am I eligible?
No, the purpose of the RC Cares Program is to provide relief to households experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have been current on rent and in good standing as of March 31, 2020.
I have a Housing Choice Voucher. Am I eligible for the program?
Are citizenship documents required for this program?
We do not collect information about citizenship status. Citizenship status does not affect eligibility for this program.
My only income is Social Security or pension payments from my retirement fund. Am I eligible?
No. The purpose of this assistance is to assist households who have fallen behind on rent due to loss of employment or reduced income because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
I am receiving unemployment. Will I still qualify?
Yes. Unemployment is not considered a category of rental assistance from governmental agencies.
I had to leave my job/reduce my hours because I couldn’t find childcare. Am I eligible?
Yes. If you can document your child’s care provider/school closed, and you had to leave your job or reduce hours to care for them, you are eligible for this program.
I left my job because I am a medically high-risk person. Am I eligible?
Yes. You must provide a note from your medical provider or other medical record acknowledging a medical condition that puts you at high-risk and caused you to leave your job.
If I’m eligible, how much rental assistance will I receive?
The amount of assistance will be the amount of your monthly rent up to $1,200.00 for three months for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and/or up to $1,200.00 for deferred rental payments under the Rental Forgiveness Program.
Do you provide the rental assistance funds directly to me?
No. The rental assistance funds are provided directly to the property owner/landlord to be credited to your account. To verify that funds have been credited to your account, you should request a copy of your rent balance from your landlord.
What if my landlord is an immediate family member?
If you pay rent to an immediate family member (parents or siblings), then you are not eligible to participate in this program.
Why can’t the program pay my entire rent?
The RC Cares Program is meant to serve the most households possible with limited funding. The amount of assistance is limited to a maximum of $1,200.00 per month for three (3) months under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and $1,200.00 for past due rent under the Rental Forgiveness Program.
Should I tell my landlord I am applying?
Yes. Communication between renters and landlords is important. Most landlords do not want to lose good tenants, and communication can only help. If selected, please advise your landlord that they may need to provide information or a W-9 form.
What if my landlord refuses to participate in the program?
We hope that will not happen, but if it does, the City cannot force the landlord to participate.
What is the process you are following to verify that my property is with the City of Rancho Cucamonga?
We are using the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s GIS parcel database to verify that the property is within city limits.
Can I apply the funds I receive for my tenant’s unpaid February or March balance?
No, only tenants who are current for March and in good standing with their lease are eligible.
Will my tenant directly receive the rental assistance payment?
No. Per program guidelines, rent payments will be payable directly to the landlord. If the tenant is selected to receive rental assistance, landlords may need to submit a W-9. Payments will be made to the landlord by the program on behalf of the eligible tenant.
How can I help my tenant with the application process?
Be prepared to confirm the household has a current lease, verify any back rent amount due, and submit a W-9 form, if requested.
Can I apply on behalf of my tenant(s)?
While you can encourage your tenant(s) to apply, they must apply themselves. Tenants will need to provide personal documentation specifying how COVID-19 impacted their household, and to certify the accuracy of the information as part of the application process so they must apply themselves.
What is the process you are following to qualify my property for the program?
Unlike other rental assistance programs, there are no inspections or pre-qualification requirements. The purpose of this assistance is to assist households who have fallen behind on rent or need assistance to remain current with rent due to COVID 19 related causes. Qualification for assistance is primarily linked to household eligibility.
How will I know if my tenant is awarded the rental assistance funds, and how will I receive the funds?
An email will be sent to both the tenant and the landlord to confirm the award. The application information will be forwarded to our Finance Department for payment by check. Should Finance staff have any questions, they may reach out to you directly.
How many payments will I receive?
The property owner will receive one (1) payment per selected tenant application
Will I be responsible for reimbursing the City of Rancho Cucamonga for any payment that is determined to be an overpayment or fraudulent request?
The RC Cares funding is derived from Federal funds, and the City must recover any erroneous payments under the program. Any overpayment or misrepresentation and/or fraud by the tenants, the City will require the landlord to return funds. If the tenant is no longer leasing with the landlord at the time of fraud determination, we will seek other actions against the tenant.
When can I apply?
Applications will be available on Monday, August 24, 2020, through 5:00 pm on September 4, 2020. Please review the City’s website and application to review the required documents that will be needed to complete the application. Do not begin an application until the required documents are available for uploading. Applications will be accepted only through the Online Application Portal on this page, www.cityofrc.us/rccares. If assistance is required to submit your application, please email or call (909) 774-CARE (2273).
We expect that interest in these programs will exceed available funds. For that reason, selection will occur through a lottery process among qualified applicants who provide the required documentation. It is not a first-come, first-served program.
If I receive assistance through the program, do I have to pay it back?
No. The RC CARES program is sourced from Federal funds that do not need to be paid back; unless any overpayment or misrepresentation and/or fraudulent information provided in the application.
How long will it take to process my application?
Our goal is to process applications and issue payment within 3 to 4 weeks from the close of the application period through the end of October. Funding for the RC CARES program is from CARES Act funding, so processing time may be extended if deemed necessary for application review or until City receives the necessary funding.
How does the lottery system work?
A lottery system will be a randomized number generator used to select eligible grant recipients and provides equitable access for all city renters. The applications received early in the application period will not have priority over applications received later in the application period.
Do I have to separately apply for each program?
No, there is a single application for all three business programs. Check the boxes on the application form online to indicate which of the three programs you are applying for. Businesses can apply for multiple programs if they think they are eligible. However, each program will undergo a separate lottery selection process and applicants may not be selected for all, or any, of the programs applied for.
Is my City Business License current?
Click HERE to verify that information.
I received a federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, am I still eligible?
Yes, if your loan was under $1 million. If you received a loan of $1 million or more at time of application, then you are not eligible. First priority will be given to applicants that did not receive a PPP loan or received a loan of $150,000 or less. Second priority will be given to applicants that received loans of more than $150,000 and less than $1 million.
If I own multiple businesses in Rancho Cucamonga or if my business has multiple locations, can I apply for assistance for each business or location?
Yes. But each business or location must submit a separate application.
Rental Forgiveness Program
How much assistance can I apply for?
If selected, applicants will receive assistance is for one month of deferred rent, up to a maximum of $8,000.
What if I did not defer my April or May rent under the City’s Eviction Moratorium? Can I still receive assistance?
No. This program is intended to assist those who deferred their rent under the City’s Eviction Moratorium and still have that back rent owed to their landlord.
Who does payment go to?
Payments will be provided directly to your landlord. If approved, you will receive an email documenting the amount of the payment to your landlord.
Outdoor Business Operations Assistance Program
Is this assistance available for all types of businesses beyond restaurants?
Yes, assistance is available for any business that have converted to outdoor operations in compliance with all State, County and City regulations. Examples beyond restaurants include fitness studios, barbershops and hair and nail salons.
I am in the process of converting my business to outdoor operations OR have already converted my business to outdoor operations. Do I still qualify?
Yes. However, only purchases dated after July 1, 2020, when Health Orders forced the closures of restaurants, are eligible for reimbursement.
What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
Items must be directly related to the transition of providing outdoor services. The City’s determination on what items qualify are final. Eligible expenses for funding include, but are not limited to:
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Copies of your itemized receipts are required in order to receive reimbursement.
Who do I contact for questions regarding transition to outdoor operations?
If you are interested in setting up an outdoor dining or business operation area, please contact the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District at (909) 477-2770 or by email.
For additional guidance on how to set up outdoor dining space, please refer to the Concept Exhibit and FAQs HERE.
County COVID-Compliant Business Match Program
How do I become eligible?
In order to receive the City match, Rancho Cucamonga businesses must first participate in the San Bernardino County COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program. Visit County website at www.SBcovid19.com for more information. Proof of participation is required.
The County COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program now allows Short Term Rentals to participate in their program. Do they also qualify for the City match?
No. Short Term Rentals are NOT eligible for the City match. All other businesses that qualify for the County program are eligible for the City match.
How much will I receive from the City?
The City will provide an additional $2,500 for businesses that participate in the County COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program, regardless of how much participants received from the County.
Visit the County's webpage for the County of San Bernardino COVID-19 Complaint Business Partnership Program FAQ.
Rules and Guidelines
The purpose of the rules and guidelines is to guide the administration of the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s RC CARES programs approved through City Council action on July 15, 2020. These programs are funded through the federal CARES Act, with funding passed through to local governments as part of the State of California’s Fiscal Year 2020-21 State Budget.
BACKGROUND
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES Act”) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. The $2 trillion economic relief package provides economic assistance to workers, families, businesses, states, and industries in response to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and includes $150 billion for payments to States and certain local governments for specified uses.
On June 30, 2020, Governor Newsom signed the 2020 Budget Act. This legislation included $500 million of the State’s CARES Act funding to be distributed to California cities that did not receive a direct allocation from the Federal CARES Act. Under the formula identified in the 2020 Budget Act, the City of Rancho Cucamonga was allocated for an allocation of $2,167,449.91 in CARES Act funding.
The CARES Act provides that payments from the Fund may only be used to cover costs that:
1. are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19);
2. were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and
3. were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020.
Guidance in the City’s administration of its CARES Act funding is provided by the following documents released by the U.S. Treasury: 1) “Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments” updated June 30, 2020; and 2) “Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions” updated July 8, 2020.
Furthermore, Control Section 11.90, as part of the California FY 20-21 State Budget, which allows the State Department of Finance to allocate the CARES Act funds to support activities and expenses that promote public health and safety in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a recipient of the State’s allocation of CARES Act funding, the City agrees to administer its CARE Act funding allocation in accordance with Control Section 11.90.
Documentation Requirements for Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program and Rental Forgiveness Program Application (Residential)
Documentation Requirements:
The following documents must be uploaded with your application. Do not submit originals. No documents will be returned.
- Photo identification: Photo Identification for every person over the age of 18 listed as a member of the family residing in the rental housing unit for which rent assistance is requested.
- Proof of COVID-19 Economic Impact: Applicants must submit documentation confirming negative economic impact during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Monthly income from January and February of 2020 shall be compared to monthly income from May 2020 through July 2020. Acceptable documentation of negative economic impact shall include:
- A copy of family member(s) notification of job loss/termination from employer during the eligible pandemic period (May 2020 through July 2020); or
- A copy of family member(s) notification of furlough from employer during the eligible pandemic period (May 2020 through July 2020); or
- A copy of family member(s) notification or employer signed form confirming reduction in hours and/or pay during the eligible pandemic period (May 2020 through July 2020). The Request for Verification of Income or Reduction of Hours and/or Pay Form (Exhibit 3) to the Program Guidelines may be used for this purpose; or
- A copy of family member(s) application during the eligible pandemic period (May 2020 through July 2020) and/or approval for Unemployment Insurance benefits;
- A notarized affidavit signed that includes the name of the family member who is self-employed, the name and nature of the business, and narrative confirming economic impact on self-employment during eligible pandemic period (March 1, 2020 to present); or
- Other appropriate documentation acceptable to the City.
- Verification of Income: For each adult in the family 18 years or older, submit the supporting documentation appropriate for each type of income indicated in the program application Table C.
- Proof of Tenancy: Current residential lease agreement or rental agreement.