Community Crisis Support

In response to the devastating wildfires that overtook Sonoma County on the evening of October 16, 2017, Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County (CAPSC) responded to community needs by creating the Disaster Relief Housing Assistance Fund (DRHA). Thanks to some amazing funders, our agency was able to provide rental and deposit assistance to those immediately affected by the wildfires in Sonoma County. Under DRHA, CAP Sonoma then housed programs related to subsequent wildfires, winter floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, providing rental/deposit/utility relief from donations, grants, or federal funding. Now, DRHA has evolved to become the Community Crisis Support department and still holds important programming for those affected by natural disasters/pandemics.

Current Active Programs:

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

Program Description: The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provides Sonoma County residents with one-month of assistance in rent, mortgage, or a utility bill if they have verifiable covid-19 related impact as of January 2023. It is not meant to be a recurring program and therefore households can only apply one time. You also cannot apply for multiple services (i.e. you cannot apply for rent and utilities).

Detail on Services Offered:

For the rental/mortgage assistance program, only one month of past, current, or first months rent can be covered.

• One month of past due balance of rent or mortgage.
  • Amount paid must be totally outstanding at the time of payment
• One month of current balance of rent or mortgage.
  • Payment due within 10 calendar days
• First month’s rent.
  • Payment may be made up to 30 days prior to move in date

For the utility assistance, only a one-month billed amount of a metered (gas, electric, water, sewer) or non-metered (propane or firewood) utility bill can be covered.

• Metered Eligible Items:
  • Past due utility bills
    • Only covers a 30-day billing period
  • Current utility bill
    • Payment cannot be made more than 10 calendar days prior to due date
• Non-Metered Eligible Items:
  • One-time delivery of a non-metered product used to heat homes
  • One delivery per household
  • Deliveries cannot be paid in advance

Program Requirements:

• You must be a Sonoma County resident
• Your name must be on the bills or lease
• You must turn in proof of recent covid impact that specifically caused you to fall back financially

How to Apply?

1. Fill out an intake through the kiosk. Upload your identification documents, full rental lease, and pay stubs from the past two months.
2. A CAP staff member will contact you to continue with the second part of the application.
   1. You will need to provide proof of covid-19 impact and utility bill statement or mortgage bill statement if applicable.

Notes: All payments will be made directly to your landlord, mortgage loan representative, or the utility vendor.

If your situation does not fulfill the requirements for EFSP but you still need assistance due to a sudden or unexpected hardship, you may still fill out the online application for guidance and resources.