Rent and Utility Relief for Riverside County

Between June 2020 and November 2022, United Lift distributed more than $300 million countywide to over 35,000 households, representing 120,000 local residents, in an effort to reduce evictions and keep renters housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. New applications are no longer being accepted. If you are seeking assistance in finding housing, paying rent or utilities, or fighting eviction, please refer to the resources below.

United Lift Rental Assistance Program Evaluation

The pandemic showed us how the combination of high rents and low wages in Riverside County put many families at risk of losing their homes. Many turned to rental assistance programs funded by the federal government like United Lift.

Lift to Rise worked with the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy to interview aid recipients and landlords to create an extensive evaluation to understand the wins and lessons from United Lift. Some important findings were:

• The high demand for temporary rental assistance points to the need for leaders to enact meaningful solutions addressing the root causes of housing instability.
• Applicants used a range of strategies to cover rent, including taking on debt through loans and credit cards, but those who received assistance were less likely to have paid rent in the past six months by asking family or friends or by paying with a credit card.
• People seeking aid often expressed dreams of establishing a higher standard of living and financial independence. “My goal by the end of this year is to have financial freedom,” said one person.
• Tenants reported developing strong support systems and bonds with neighbors during the pandemic. “Thank God I have neighbors that are just absolutely wonderful,” said one.

Eviction Prevention

Riverside Legal Aid and the Superior Court of California for County of Riverside join Lift to Rise and Inland SoCal United Way in a countywide effort to keep Riverside County families housed. If you are being threatened with eviction, if you fear that your landlord might try to evict you, or if you have received an eviction notice, please contact one or all of the organizations listed.

Riverside Legal Aid provides pro bono legal services, education, and counseling to qualified low-income residents of Riverside County. For more information call (951) 888-2039 or email info@riversidelegalaid.org.

• Riverside Legal Aid can assist all people, regardless of immigration status.
• Services available in Spanish and other languages.

The Riverside Superior Court Self-Help Center provides help to everyone in Riverside County, regardless of immigration status. Call (951) 274-4499 or (760) 393-2163 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The Riverside Superior Court Self-Help Center is committed to helping people with cases in court who do not have an attorney. The Center can provide assistance by phone, email, and Webex.

• Services available in Spanish and other languages.