Fremont Cares Rent Relief Program

What is the Fremont Cares Rent Relief Program?

The Fremont Cares Rent Relief Program provides rental assistance, using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES funds, to eligible households who are unable to pay their rent due to a COVID 19-related job loss or loss of income. The Fremont Cares Rent Relief Program can provide for rent beginning March 17, 2020, the date of the first Shelter in Place order. Funds can be used to pay up to three (3) months of unpaid rent directly to the landlord. The total funding amount available for Fremont Cares is $400,000. Round 1 of funding will allocate $200,000 and Round 2 of Funding will allocate $200,000.

Who is Eligible for Fremont Cares?  

In order to be eligible for Fremont Cares rental assistance, renters must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Be a Fremont resident
  2. Job loss or loss of income is directly related to COVID-19
  3. Lease is in the applicant’s name.
  4. Income at or below 80 % Area Medium Income. See chart below:

CDBG Income Limits - Alameda County

Alameda CountyNumber of Persons in Household
Income Category12345678
Extremely Low 30%$26,050$29,750$33,450$37,150$40,150$43,100$46,100$49,050
Low 50%$43,300$49,600$55,800$61,950$66,950$71,900$76,850$81,800
60% Limit$52,080$59,520$66,960$74,340$80,340$86,280$92,220$98,160
Moderate 80%$69,000$78,850$88,700$98,550$106,450$114,350$122,250$130,100

How will applications be evaluated?

In anticipation of a high volume of applications, priority will be given to applicants who fall under the following categories: 

  • Applicants with no additional resources for rental assistance
  • Applicants with incomes lower than 80 % of Area Median Income
  • Applicants who are rent burdened (rent is over 30% of household income)
  • Applicants who are single head of household with minor children
  • Applicants who have special circumstances (i.e. have high medical costs due to Covid-19)

How Do I Apply for Fremont Cares?    

The following application process is now closed: 

  • Access the application online. Or if you do not have access to the online portal you may call the Fremont Family Resource Center (FRC) at 510-574-2000 to apply by phone. Callers who get voicemail will be instructed to leave a message requesting assistance with Fremont Cares with their name and phone number clearly stated. This number can also be called if you have questions about the program.
  • The application requires the submission of documents that can be uploaded online as part of the online application process, or sent via secure email. Please include your first and last name in the Subject line. Alternately if these digital options are not available, please schedule an appointment to drop off your documents for scanning at the FRC.
  • Your application is not complete until all documentation is submitted, and once complete it will be evaluated and weighted according to the priorities above.
  • Applicants will be notified of the results of the evaluation process. Approved applicants’ landlords will also be notified.
  • If selected for assistance, payment will be made directly to your landlord.

When Can I Apply?   

Round 1 of Funding is now closed. (Applications for funding was open from May 18 through May 29 at 11:59 p.m. when applications for Round 1 were closed.) 

Round 2 of Funding is now closed. (Applications for funding was open from June 1 through June 12. Eligible applicants from Round 1 who were not funded could continue on for consideration into Round 2.)

FRC Staff will notify applicants of their status following each round. If selected for funding, FRC staff will also notify the applicant’s landlord.

What Documentation Is Needed? 

  1. Valid photo identification for the name of the person applying and on the lease (i.e. valid driver’s license, State ID, passport etc.)
  2. Furlough or layoff notice on or after the Shelter-in-Place order was issued on March 17, 2020.
  3. Most recent bank statement(s) for the entire household.
  4. 2019 tax return for the entire household, if available. If the 2019 tax return is unavailable, please submit your 2019 W-2 Form(s) or 1099 Form(s) for the entire household; or December 2019 or January 2020 pay stub.
  5. Proof of all current sources of income and/or benefits for the entire household, if applicable:
    • Most recent paycheck stub(s) or letter from employer(s) stating current monthly income.
    • Letter from government agency or printout of government benefits i.e. Social Security, unemployment insurance, CalWorks, etc.
    • Rental assistance documentation from other sources.
    • Any other sources of income and benefits not listed.
  6. Copy of lease held by the Applicant.
  7. Documentation from landlord for rent owed – signed by the landlord or authorized representative. The document should include the tenant’s name, the month(s), dates(s), and amounts for rent owed after March 17, 2020.
  8. IRS W-9 Form completed by the landlord. The landlord must be willing to provide a signed W-9 form.

Who Do I Contact for More Information?

For questions, application assistance, or language assistance, please call the FRC main line at 510-574-2000 and FRC staff will assist you.

Read the Press Release

May 18, 2020: City of Fremont Announces Relief Package for Renters and Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19