Renter Protection and
Homeless Prevention Assistance Program

The SBCCOG’s Renter Protection and Homeless Prevention Assistance Program 

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) receives annual funding for Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention (RPHP) initiatives from county sales tax Measure A. The goal is to address housing instability, reduce evictions and displacement, and prevent people from falling into homelessness. This assistance is intended to be temporary, short-term, and available to individuals and families who are currently housed in order to prevent the loss of housing or to resolve a housing crisis.

Eligibility Criteria (for Household/Person) to Receive Financial Assistance:  

• Must be a renter and reside in a city or unincorporated area represented by the SBCCOG. See map of the SBCCOG’s boundary.
• Have an annual gross income that is at or below 80% of the Los Angeles County area median income (AMI). (Priority will be given to households/persons at or below 50% AMI.

Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning

• Not currently in the homelessness system 
• Have experienced an emergency, crisis, or unexpected event within the previous 12 months that puts the household at risk of losing their housing, such as: 
  • Action of landlord or property management 
  • Unlawful detainer (eviction lawsuit) 
  • Threat of displacement or housing instability 
  • Loss of income 
  • Loss or delay of public income benefits 
  • Medical emergency 
  • Change of household (birth, death, loss of income earner)
  • Natural disaster
  • Sudden increase in critical expenses
  • Other emergency that threatens housing stability 

Available Financial Assistance 

• Security Deposits and Other Required Deposits. 
• Rental and Utility Arrears.
  *Once enrolled in the program, participants may be eligible for additional assistance activities 

Documentation Required 

All applicants must gather necessary documentation prior to a homeless prevention specialist reaching out. These documents include, but are not limited to: 

• Proof of identification for all individuals in the household 
  • Valid California driver’s license or identification 
  • Social Security number card  
  • Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) 
  • Birth certificates 

• Documentation Demonstrating Housing Crisis 
  • 3-day notice, Unlawful Detainer or Court Ordered Decision/Eviction filing 
  • Notice of rent increase 
  • Past-due rent or utility notice 
  • Rent ledger 

• Proof of Income for all working-age individuals in the household 
  • Paycheck stubs 
  • Benefit award letters: Social Security Insurance (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), CalWORKs, unemployment) 
  • Payment statements or bank statements 
  • Employer offer letter or verification of employment 

• Verification of Tenancy or Housing Arrangement 
  • Lease or rental agreement 
  • Rent ledger or account statement 
  • Proof of rent increase 
  • Written verification from landlord or property manager 
  • Utility bill listing the household member and address 

 Legal Services and Resources 

If you are at imminent risk of eviction or have been served an unlawful detainer (eviction lawsuit), please seek immediate legal assistance through Stay Housed LA: stayhousedla.org/get-legal-help. 

For information on self-help resources, including how to file an Answer to an unlawful detainer before the deadline, visit the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. 

To learn more about your rights as a tenant, register for a tenant’s rights workshop by visiting Stay Housed LA or Housing Rights Center 

Pick the Service Provider in Your Area 

If you reside within one of the SBCCOG’s member jurisdictions, please see which service provider you must contact to apply. Please note that, as part of the assistance process, participants are required to engage in conversations with a homeless prevention specialist to explore safe and cost-effective options for resolving their housing crisis. In addition, a six-month follow-up survey is required by case management after assistance has been finalized. This will help to ensure that continued housing stability has been maintained.