Rent Relief Program

The Rent Relief program offers various forms of financial relief to City of Milpitas residents with emergency housing needs. Click the button below to view our program flyer.

View Rent Relief Flyer

Milpitas Residents Assisted

Relief Allocated

Rent Relief Stories

Domestic Violence

This family was referred by MUSD to the Pilot Rent Relief Program. After experiencing domestic violence, the Pilot Rent Relief Program was able to provide the family of 5 a safe, temporary place to live, while they could find a more permanent residency. Within a month, they were able to secure a rental unit. The Pilot Rent Relief program was able to assist with the first month’s rent and deposit to help the family during this difficult time.

Short Term Homeless Prevention:

City staff received an email stating a woman was sleeping in her car with her four children, all of whom attend MUSD. MPD wanted to know what resources, if any, were available to them. Staff connected this resident with the Pilot Rent Relief Program, who was able to provide a short term stay in a local hotel to temporarily remove them from living in their vehicle.

Over the course of the next month, MUSD, SVILC, and city staff worked collaboratively with this family to provide them the resources necessary to find a more permanent housing opportunity. Towards the conclusion of their stay in the hotel, staff was able to connect this family with a 90 day stay at Family Supportive Housing, a temporary shelter specifically for families.

Senior Assistance:

After living in the same unit of 20 years, this resident was asked to vacate without cause. Being elderly, having limited income, and a special needs child who was in and out of the hospital, she didn’t know how she would be able to find a place and pay for the costs to move in. After being referred to the Pilot Rent Relief Program, she realized she had the financial support to begin searching for a new apartment. And in a few short weeks, this family was able to secure a new rental unit, with the first months rent and deposit assistance provided by the Pilot Rent Relief Program.

May 2019 - City Council Housing Subcommittee is Established

On May 7, 2019, the City Council approved the establishment of a new City Council Housing Subcommittee to continue to address the needs of the community based on the community feedback the Council received.

October 2019 - Housing Subcommittee Recommends and City Council Establishes the Pilot Rent Relief Program

On October 15, 2019, with the direction of the Housing Subcommittee, the City Council authorized the creation of a Pilot Rent Relief Program, which allocated $100,000 in financial assistance to Milpitas residents and families that have emergency housing needs. The Silicon Valley Independent Living Center was selected to administer the program on behalf of the City.

March 2020 - City Council Allocates an Additional $100,000 to the Pilot Rent Relief Program

On March 03, 2020, with the direction of the Housing Subcommittee, the City Council authorized the the allocation of an additional $100,000 in financial assistance to Milpitas residents and families that have emergency housing needs.

June 2020 - City Council removes “Pilot” from the name of the program and allocates $341,400 of CDBG funding to the Rent Relief Program

July & September 2020: City secured competitive EFSP grant award of $70,000 for the Rent Relief Program. City funded $12,600 administration cost

February & April 2021: City secured competitive EFSP grant award of $50,000 for the Rent Relief Program. City funded $9,000 administration cost

September 2022: In September 2022, the City approved its program administrator for its $1,100,000 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funded Rent and Mortgage Relief Program with City Council direction of designating 75% of funding for rent relief and 25% to mortgage relief.