Federal Rent Aid Program is Selective

California's Contra-Costa Times investigated the federal program designed to aid renters in the current recession. While homeowners can stay in their homes for months without making mortgage payments and the Federal Government bends over backwards to help them residential renters are still finding it difficult to qualify for Federal aid.

Here's the Contra-Costa Times report:

"A federal stimulus program aimed at preventing tenants from being evicted because of the recession is arousing lots of interest but few are finding they qualify for aid.

The lead agency in distributing $3 million earmarked for Contra Costa has received 574 inquiries and 87 applications but has approved 16.

Most people who have expressed interest either earn too much or too little, said Jennifer Baha, director of program services with Shelter, Inc., in Martinez. The federal guidelines are clear: Applicants must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income but also must have an income of at least 120 percent of their rent.

"Many people are contacting us because they are desperate," Baha said. "But this isn't supposed to be long-term. You have to have a reasonable plan to get yourself out of your situation. You can't be unemployed and in an industry that is not currently hiring."

A Pittsburg medical billing clerk was one of the lucky 16. Arnold Burton, 49, lost his job in June, fell behind on his house payments and the bank foreclosed.

The grant program gave him $1,000 toward his December rent. Shelter, Inc. sent the money directly to the landlord. Burton said he used the money that would have gone to rent to pay PG&E bills, but he looked forward to covering his $1,062 rent in January.

Burton said he wants to stay in medical billing and plans to enroll at Los Medanos College to update his skills.

"I wantto get certification as a medical assistant and work for an office, hospital or a private practice," he said.

One unsuccessful applicant said he was told he was denied because he didn't have proof of previous income. Richmond resident Richard Langford, 50, has worked as a carpenter, handyman and landscaper and usually gets paid in cash. His initial appeal was rejected and he has filed a second.

Langford says he's behind on his $600 rent because work has fallen off this winter.

"I started getting behind four months ago and have never recovered," he said. "My mother has helped me with gifts. People are having a rough time of it."

Baja is aware of such problems.

"This program is not designed for everybody," he said. "HUD makes it clear that they have to be directly impacted by the economy. Some people need to realize that housing in California is too expensive."