A new program that provides financial aid to rent-paying Glendale residents began accepting applications Monday.
The Glendale Rental Assistance and Stabilization Program, or GRASP aims to help renters in the city who are facing financial hardships remain housed, officials said. The program will take applications from July 6-20.
According to the city, the program is designed to assist renters who have experienced destabilizing financial events that include a job loss, major medical expenses, a utility shutoff, an eviction notice or other hardship related to housing that occurred within the past year.
Qualified applicants must be Glendale residents, have a household income under 80% of the area median income and have documentation to verify eligibility and financial problems.
Applications will determine eligibility, and officials will create a ranked list of qualified households based on urgency of need and other factors indicating vulnerability.
Eligible applicants may receive emergency rental assistance, short-term income support, utility assistance or other housing-related aid intended to help them stay in stable housing, officials said. In emergency situations, assistance may cover up to six months of rent and utilities per household.
The City Council established the program in September with funding from the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency’s Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention program. Council members later OK’d additional guidance on how to structure the program.
City officials said future application periods will depend on the availability of funds after assistance goes to applicants most in need.
Homeowners, mortgage holders and people who are currently experiencing homelessness are not eligible for the program, according to the city.
The program’s application does not request or retain information regarding immigration status, officials said.
Applications and additional information is online at engage.glendaleca.gov/grasp, by calling 818-550-4727 or emailing grasp@glendaleca.gov.
