In 2023, MPUSD’s (Monterey Peninsula United School District) Rental Assistance Program and the National Center for Youth Law established a pilot program to support unhoused families with students in the MPUSD district. Other organizations soon joined the effort. By July 2024, $120,000 was raised 22 MPUSD families (Monterey Peninsula United School District) had been housed.
Organizations also helping to support the program include.
The Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula (CERV) has a long history of serving families experiencing emergency situations on the Monterey Peninsula and is acting as fiscal agent working directly with staff at MPUSD. CERV acts as a fiscal agent and provides training in disaster preparedness.
The Payette River Foundation has shown an ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of unhoused families.
The Community Foundation for Monterey County joined more recently to help maintain support this successful program.
Program Benefits
- Down payment assistance provided directly to the landlord (includes security deposit and first/last month rent)
- Coordinating support services at schools.
Program Outcomes 2023-2024 School year
- 21 Families housed (first month/security deposit)
- Student outcomes:
- All attending school
- Emergency Response/Responder opportunities workshop attended by 5 high school students
