Coronavirus California

Coronavirus California: Santa Clara County families financially impacted by COVID-19 to receive relief funding

ByChris Nguyen KGO logo

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Santa Clara Co. families financially impacted by COVID-19 to receive relief funding

As part of a multi-million dollar effort, organizations in Santa Clara County are banding together to help low-income families who have been economically impacted by COVID-19 to keep staying in their homes.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- As part of a multi-million dollar effort, public and private organizations in the South Bay are banding together to help low-income families who have been economically impacted by COVID-19.

The Santa Clara County Homeless Prevention System, which is coordinated by Sacred Heart Community Service, launched an $11 million relief fund to assist residents with rent and other basic needs.

"All of the funds that we are raising through be directly dispersed into our homelessness prevention network, where the experts on the ground at each of these organizations can move quickly to solve each family's crisis," said Jen Loving, executive director of Destination: Home.

To qualify, applicants must have a household income of less than 80% of the area median income, which is typically around $103,900 for a family of four. Applicants must also provide documents showing financial losses due to COVID-19.

Households that qualify will be eligible to receive up to $4,000 a month and can request help once a month as long as the funds remain available.

San Jose resident Cruz Vasquez works multiple jobs to make ends meet in San Jose. But he was laid off as the novel coronavirus crisis exploded and is now worried about not being able to provide for his family.

"When it rains, it pours. I know a lot of people out there, they're hurting for food, work hours, everything's cut off to everybody," said Vasquez.

Multiple businesses have contributed to the fund, including Cisco, Western Digital, Adobe, Zoom and Facebook, to name a few.

"There are going to be times when each of us is in need. There will be times when each of us can give, so be a part of that exchange," said Rachel Wright, Ph.D., Sacred Heart's senior director of community development.

Outside of the relief fund, Cisco announced it was committing $225 million in cash and in-kind donations for COVID-19 relief, both locally and globally. Facebook has also committed more than $120 million to the relief efforts.

"The only way we get through this is if we do so together, so it's up to all of us to help keep families in their homes during this difficult time," Facebook spokesperson Chloe Meyere said.

Click here to learn more about applying for the program.

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS: