Napa Allocates Another $250K For Tenant Rent Protection

NAPA, CA –The city of Napa has allocated an additional $250,000 to Napa Valley Community Foundation to further support tenant protections for Napans experiencing housing insecurity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The funds, which the city received from the federal CARES — Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security — Act, were distributed Friday to NVCF to augment an expanding program to support local tenants who are unable to pay their rent due to financial hardship related to the ongoing pandemic, city Spokeswoman Jaina French said.

The city of Napa’s initial allocation of $100,000 to NVCF last month helped kickstart a funding initiative that resulted in an additional $200,000 in donor support.

"We are pleased to maintain and bolster our partnership with NVCF, as they continue to support the Napa community in so many ways," Napa City Manager Steve Potter said. "Our City Council and our staff recognize how important this support is for those struggling in Napa, so by supplying this additional funding, we can assist NVCF in getting even more resources to those who need it most."

To qualify for assistance, renters must live in the city of Napa, be at or below 120 percent of Area Median Income, and be ineligible for government-sponsored unemployment assistance.

NVCF’s existing program in Napa is a partnership with On the Move, a nonprofit that has distributed financial assistance and support services to local residents after other recent disasters.

With the city latest contributions, NVCF continues to expand its tenant protection program into a larger campaign that, it is hoped, will continue as long as there is a need. Both the city and NVCF hope the additional $250,000 in funding will continue to encourage even more donors to support this program.

"We are deeply grateful for the leadership and extraordinary generosity of the City of Napa in this effort," NVCF President Terence Mulligan said. "It's been a very challenging six months or so for Napa residents, between the pandemic, the fires and everything else. The rapid grassroots deployment of CARES Act resources by our city is really remarkable."

More information about the tenant protection program, including eligibility requirements, can be found at Napavalleycf.org. To inquire about assistance, call On The Move at 707-363-8390 or send an email efa@onthemovebayarea.org.

• RELATED COVERAGE: City Of Napa Receives $975K In Federal CARES Act Grant Funds