On January 20, 2021, representatives from Inland Counties Legal Services and the City of Ontario Housing Department gave updates on legal protections and processes, as well as financial resources available to Ontario renters. Once any new law takes effect and we know more about how new resources will be distributed, we will provide updated information.  

• Information about rental and utility assistance help for residents in the City of Ontario can be found at OntarioCA.gov/Housing.
• COVID-19 response information from the State of California can be found here. 
• Information about legal services from Inland Counties Legal Services can be found here. 
• Information about tenant protections can be found here. 

For more information, please email [email protected].

We expect to have another panel in April. Until then, the legal information slides can be found here and Ontario rent assistance slides here.

Two new programs are open to help renters behind on their rent payments, or who won’t be able to pay rent in the coming months. Each program has different eligibility rules and provide assistance differently. 

San Bernardino County Rent Relief Partnership for households at or below 50% Area Median Income  

State of California CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income 

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY RENT RELIEF FOR HOUSEHOLDS AT OR BELOW 50% AREA MEDIAN INCOME 

San Bernardino County has partnered with Inland SoCal 211+ to provide up to 12 months of rent arrears, utility arrears, and prospective assistance. 

To qualify: 

• Households must reside in San Bernardino County. Residents of the cities of Fontana and San Bernardino must submit applications directly to their city. 

• Households must be required to pay rent on a residential dwelling (have a lease agreement), and have a household income at or below 50% of area median income (AMI): 

• One or more individuals in the household: 

          – has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships              due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID –19 outbreak; OR 

          – demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing disability 

• One or more individuals within the household is unemployed as of the date of the application for assistance and has not been employed for 90 days before the date of application. 

TO APPLY:  SBC Rent Relief  or dial 211 and select extension 5. 

The county encourages landlords to proactively work with their tenants to complete applications as quickly as possible.  Tenants are encouraged to work closely with landlords and to communicate their interest in participating in the program. 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA CA COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM FOR HOUSEHOLDS ABOVE 50%, BUT BELOW 80% AMI 

The State’s program pays for 80% of unpaid balance of rent owed between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, if landlords agree to waive the remaining 20% of unpaid rent. 

Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Paying this 25% by June 30, 2021 can keep you in your home under the State’s extended eviction protections. 

Eligible renters can also get assistance of 25% of monthly future rent. 

The State program also covers utility assistance. 

For more information and to apply to the State program: CA COVID-19 Rent Relief