Hello Housing helps local governments administer their Below Market Rate programs including activities such as sales of inclusionary units, filling rental units, processing applications and recertifications, and maintaining waitlists.

Since we do not administer rental or mortgage assistance programs or offer emergency housing assistance, we have compiled the resource list below. We recognize many resources are frequently changing and while we do our best to keep it updated, please note this list was last updated as of July 31, 2020.

General Resources

Mortgage Assistance

My Home by FreddieMac – If your mortgage is owned by Freddie Mac, mortgage assistanceoptions are available.

Fannie Mae – If your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae, mortgage assistance options are available.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Mortgage and Housing assistance during the coronavirus. Information on what to do and what your options are if you are concerned about paying your mortgage or rent.

General Assistance

My Benefits CalWIN – Cash & food assistance benefits for eligible California families with a child(ren) in the home.

Official California Website – Information & references for housing assistance.

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) – Does not offer direct assistance; information and resources for housing assistance.

County Specific Resources

Alameda & Contra Costa County

9/17/20 Newly Announced: City of Oakland – Financial assistance for City of Oakland renters and homeowners

Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) – Providing cash aid to indigent adults and emancipated minors who are legal residents of Alameda County who have no other means of support.

East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO) – Assists Alameda & Contra Costa residents with rental and legal assistance.

East Bay Community Law Center – Represents tenants in eviction lawsuits to keep people housed in their current apartments.

Centro Legal de La Raza – Legal advice & services for tenants in most parts of Alameda County; bilingual Spanish and English.

Marin County

North Marin Community Services – Food Pantry available every Tuesday from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

West Marin Community Services – One-month rental assistance & emergency financial assistance.

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County – Emergency Rental Assistance.

San Francisco County

Catholic Charities – Immediate financial assistance for rent/mortgage and basic needs such as utility bills and groceries.

Causa Justa: Just Cause – SF Tenants Rights counseling assistance for renters.

Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco (HRCSF) – For SF tenants; services provided in English, Spanish, & Chinese by phone.

San Mateo County

Samaritan House – Financial, food, and shelter assistance available; must submit application online.

Housing Industry Foundation (HIF) – Financial grant and housing assistance available; must submit application online.

Santa Clara County

Sacred Heart Community Service – Financial assistance for low-income Santa Clara residents unable to pay rent.

West Valley Community Services – In response to the coronavirus, food assistance, emergency funds, and other programs have been set up to assist residents.

County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing – List of shelters and contact information for families with children, adults without children, and veterans.

Housing Industry Foundation (HIF) – General Assistance: Financial grant and housing assistance available; must submit application online.

Project Sentinel – Resource for landlords and tenants provided at no cost. Provides mediation and conciliation services addressing rent issues and resolving disputes; provides homeownership counseling Project Sentinel can be reached at (408) 720-9888 or (888) 324-7468.

City of Cupertino – Assistance for City of Cupertino rental residents. In partnership with Meriwest Credit Union, a rental assistance loan program is available.

Earnin– Cupertino rental assistance to eligible residents. Application open from August 20 12pm PST thru September 3 5pm PST.

Small Business Resource

Chamber of Commerce – Assistance for small business owners

 

 

 

 

 

How Hello Housing is Adapting our Work

We at Hello Housing are doing all we can to be proactive in preventing the spread of Covid-19, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to support our applicants, homeowners, tenants and partners. Our staff is working diligently with our partners to modify any process that has, to date, involved in person meetings or interactions. We are utilizing tools like Zoom (video conferencing), HelloSign (digital signatures), and Form Assembly (secure document upload) to continue to serve our clients during this period of unprecedented uncertainty.

Important Changes to How We Work

As of March 16th, our physical offices are closed and Hello Housing staff are working from home until public health officials advise otherwise. We are available by phone at (415) 863-3036 and by email. Please contact us and a member of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that due to school and childcare closures, our response to non-urgent inquiries may be somewhat delayed. Thank you for your understanding!

Are you submitting a paper application?

Because our physical offices are now closed, we have created many ways for you to safely submit your documents. If you need to submit paperwork to Hello Housing and have access to web and/or email, please contact us to determine how best to send your information.

If you can’t submit electronically, please send your documentation to our P.O. Box. Please note, while we do monitor our P.O. Box weekly, we highly recommend sending items electronically whenever possible to ensure timely processing. Our mailing address is Hello Housing, PO Box 423690, San Francisco, CA 94142.

Please check back for the latest updates and resources as this situation evolves. We will get through this together!