Dear friends,
The end of California’s eviction moratorium is only a few days away (September 30, 2021).
According to the National Equity Atlas, 70% of California renters with rent debt have not applied for emergency rental assistance. Distribution of these funds has also been heavily delayed. If you know someone who is behind on their rent and needs assistance, please have them contact us at housing@monumentimpact.org with the subject line: ERAP.
As housing, financial, and health concerns continue to affect our immigrant and refugee neighbors across Contra Costa County, please consider donating as part of our virtual 20th Anniversary Gala this Thursday, September 23 at 7 p.m. Your contribution will go to impactful programs like our Monument Relief Fund, the largest undocufund in Contra Costa County, which has provided direct financial aid to more than 2,300 families, 83% of whom used it to pay rent and/or utilities.
We will celebrate our community and our historic achievements as an organization and rally support for the future of Monument Impact. Attendance is complimentary, and you can register here. If you can’t attend, you can still donate here.
We hope you can celebrate this milestone with us and support our mission to grow strong community leaders and advocates, provide employment and job skills, and care for families’ mental and physical health. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the most urgent, up-to-date developments, calls to action and details.
In community,
Debra Ballinger,
Executive Director
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) |
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California’s eviction moratorium is set to expire on September 30, 2021. If you or someone you know is behind on their rent or utilities, please apply today for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to avoid eviction (even after October 1). Email our housing team at housing@monumentimpact.org with the subject line: ERAP or call (925) 954-4488. Tenants can also sign up for an appointment here.
Landlords and tenants can register for ERAP at tinyurl.com/ERAP-APP. People who self-evict or are no longer living on the property may now apply for assistance.
The state hotline number (833) 687-0967 can also assist you with scheduling an appointment with Monument Impact (or another agency closest to you).
In order to apply, you may be required to submit the following:
- Lease agreement/arrears
- Proof of income
- Form of identification
- Most recent utility bill statements
Those who have already applied can call (833) 430-2122 to check on the status or ask questions related to their application. Ensure that you have your case number ready.
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THIS THURSDAY: 20th Anniversary Gala Celebration |
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This special celebration will feature special entertainment by AJAYU, Latino-fusion music rooted in the Indigenous and Andes, a spoken word performance by Jose Cordon, whose energetic performances embrace our collective quest for belonging and social justice, and other special guest appearances.
We’re excited for the future of Monument Impact and hope you will join us as we celebrate this milestone. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you there! View our digital program here.
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Take Action Against Landlord Harassment in Concord |
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Fairness and decency are bedrock values of our community, especially when it comes to how we treat neighbors. Inside one’s home, every Concord resident should feel secure and free from intimidation - a home is an essential refuge when coping with a pandemic and its aftereffects.
Since COVID-19, working families, largely immigrants and people of color, in Concord and Contra Costa County are seeing a rise in landlord harassment — when landlords behave egregiously with their tenants to pressure them to “self-evict,” which can involve refusing to complete repairs, follow health/safety standards, introduce new bills or shut off utilities, and in worst case scenarios - enter without notice or threaten to harm them.
No one has the right to harass a tenant in pursuit of profit/wealth. By enacting a strong landlord anti-harassment ordinance that keeps landlords honest, we’ll give immigrants, refugees and people of color a fighting chance to stay rooted in their homes - and take a big step towards Concord communities where fundamental respect lives strong.
Check out the toolkit linked below for numerous ways you can get involved, like providing public comment at the upcoming Concord Housing and Economic Development Committee on Sept. 29, emailing your city council representatives, and spreading the word on social media.
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Take Action Against Landlord Harassment in Concord |
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Join us on Sept. 30 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. for an insightful discussion on community land trusts. Hear from leading organizations, Richmond Land, Oakland Community Land Trust, and El Sereno Community Land Trust, who are exploring opportunities for community ownership in the Bay Area.
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Designed by artists Nick Garcia, Chair of Dramatic Arts Program at Los Medanos College, and Jose Cordon, Monument Impact organizer, and poet, the H.O.M.E.S art program invites youth to turn their personal experiences from the pandemic and housing crisis into a story that highlights what home means to them.
Classes begin September 30 through January 2022 and are open to ages 18-28. Participants will receive a stipend for their collaborative work on this project. Sign up now, and spread the word on social media!
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Emerging Business Support |
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Want to start your own business and don’t know how to get started? Call us, and we’ll gladly guide you through the process.
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Mentes Positivas en Acción |
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Learn tools to manage stress and improve your mood with our 8-week Mentes Positivas en Acción course. We have two NEW classes starting in September on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
To register, contact Lorena Cruz or Lupita Hernandez at (925) 222-5671. Classes are only offered in Spanish and are hosted on Zoom.
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Unemployment Form Assistance |
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Need help completing your unemployment form? Call us, and we’ll gladly guide you through the process.
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