San Diego City Wire

San Diego County News Center - Mar 22, 2024 - On March 12, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the Emergency Temporary Lodging Program. The program, which was launched on Feb. 10, has provided emergency temporary lodging to nearly 900 families who were displaced by flooding from the Jan. 22 storm.

Program participants will have their eligibility reviewed on a routine basis and may be extended up to May 11 based on their eligibility and other factors. Residents will be contacted before April 15 to determine their long-term housing plan.

According to the County, some residents affected by the flooding may be eligible for FEMA Rental Assistance, which could provide financial support for up to 18 months of rent. However, it is important to note that the funds received through FEMA Rental Assistance must be used solely for rent, deposits, or utilities for newly rented properties to remain eligible for future assistance.

To ensure comprehensive support for the affected families, the County mandates that all eligible residents in the Emergency Temporary Lodging Program apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA has set up Disaster Recovery Centers to facilitate in-person applications for federal aid, including information from various relevant agencies.

In a collaborative effort to assist residents further, the County has teamed up with Uber Eats to offer food assistance to eligible households in the program. Each qualifying household will receive a digital voucher via email and/or text, with the amount determined by specific factors. The vouchers, which are non-transferable and valid for seven days, are exclusively for purchasing food and cannot be used for alcohol or tobacco products.

For more details on resources available to those impacted by the Jan. 22 storm and flooding, individuals are encouraged to visit AlertSanDiego.org/recovery.

Contact County Communications Office at communications@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-595-4633 for further information.