Homeowners and Renters

Resources for Renters and Homeowners

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act provides relief for renters and homeowners affected by COVID-19. Additionally, the State of California has halted the enforcement of eviction orders for individuals financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relief for homeowners:

The CARES Act also requires mortgage providers to offer forbearance plans for homeowners with a federally backed mortgage. This includes homeowners with a FHA, VA, USDA, 184/184A mortgage, or a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship are eligible for up to 6 months’ forbearance on their mortgage payments, with a possible extension for another six months.
None of the mortgage payment relief options currently available is automatic. In all cases, borrowers must contact their mortgage servicer (the company they pay each month) in order to request assistance and find out what options are available.
You can read more about mortgage relief through the state of California here.

Protections against foreclosures:

The CARES Act prevents mortgage servicers from initiating a foreclosure, seeking a court order for a foreclosure judgment or order of sale, holding a foreclosure sale or executing a foreclosure-related eviction.
This applies to borrowers with federally backed mortgage loans by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Relief for renters:

On August 31, Governor Newsom signed a five-month extension to measures aimed at preventing millions of tenants from being thrown out of housing for missing rent due to hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Read more about how this works here.
The CARES Act also includes provisions to protect renters who live in properties that receive a federal subsidy, such as public housing, Section 8 rental assistance vouchers or subsidies, USDA rental housing assistance, or Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
Renters in properties where the owner has a federally backed mortgage loan, which includes loans backed by the FHA, USDA, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also included.

Local utility information:

Financial assistance and relief for local utilities are developing. Contact your water, gas, or power utility providers directly for more information.

Water:

Coachella Valley Water District
- Call (760) 391-9600 for more information on financial assistance.
Eastern Municipal Water District
- Email customerservice@emwd.org or call (760) 391-9600.
Mission Springs Water District
- Call (760) 323-2731 ext. 105 for more information on financial assistance.
Desert Water Agency
- Call (760) 323-2731 ext. 105 for more information on financial assistance
Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District
City of Blythe
City of Indio
- Call (760) 323-2731 ext. 105 for more information on financial assistance
City of Banning
South Mesa Water Company
Lake Hemet Municipal Water District
- Call (951) 658-3241 for more information on financial assistance.
City of Hemet
- Call (951) 765-2350 for more information on financial assistance.
City of San Jacinto
- Call (951) 487-7330 for more information on financial assistance.

Gas:

So. Cal Gas
- Visit https://www.socalgas.com/coronavirus for information on the CARE program or call 1-877-238-0092.

Power:

SoCal Edison
- Visit https://www.sce.com/billhelp or call 1-800-950-2356.
Imperial Irrigation District
- Visit https://www.iid.com/about-iid/news-resources/covid-19 or call 1-877-238-0092.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know what type of loan I have?

To determine if you have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac ("GSE") loan: use loan look-up tools for Fannie Mae here or for Freddie Mac here.
To determine if you have a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan: check your mortgage documents for an FHA case number or specific references to FHA; check your mortgage statement for FHA mortgage insurance premium charge; check your property records (if available online) for a second deed of trust in favor of the HUD Secretary. Because some loans that were originally FHA-insure may have been sold out of that status, check with the servicer or with HUD's National Servicing Center (877/622-8525).
To determine if you have a Veteran's Administration (VA) loan: check your mortgage documents for specific references to the VA and closing documents for fees paid to the VA.
To determine if you have a Department of Agriculture/Rural Housing Service (RHS) loan: you should already know if you have a loan guaranteed by RHS. If not, check closing documents and contact your servicer.

How long will the federal eviction moratorium be in effect?