With the passage of the new statewide eviction moratorium - the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 (AB 3088) - Californians across the state are all scrambling to understand what the law means for them. This is a critical period for California where tens of thousands of people are at risk of homelessness if they are not properly informed of their rights as tenants. 

In order to address this, UWCA is working with a number of legal aid and tenants rights groups on a newly launched text “RentSOS to 211-211” campaign. This will help tenants understand what steps they need to take to stay housed and access resources to support them.

We strongly encourage you to use and refer people seeking updated information to text "RentSOS" to 211-211. Once individuals text "RentSOS"to 211-211, they will: 

• Receive information on their rights as tenants, 
• Be directed to a resource directory for legal aid in their county, and;
• Be provided with important documentation that may be needed for legal protections under the law

We will continue to consult with legal aid experts and the State Administration on the content to ensure timely and accurate information.

Did you know? More than one in three (37 percent) households in California struggles to meet the cost of a basic standard of living, according to United Ways of California’s Real Cost Measure study.

These numbers are most certainly going up during COVID-19.

United Way’s relief programs support working families impacted by quarantine or disruption of income and to support the coordination of community relief efforts, with special attention to those who were already vulnerable prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis.

This week United Ways of California announced a major donation to its statewide COVID-19 fund of $10 million made graciously by an anonymous donor. This follows the donor’s $4 million donation to United Way Bay Area in March. United Ways of California’s statewide COVID-19 fund is intended to ensure equity in the distribution of philanthropic resources across all of California.

Over the past two weeks, two significant wildfires have devastated in Northern and Southern California. The Camp Fire in Northern California, has burned over 142,000 acres, and destroyed the community of Paradise. As of this writing, over 600 people remain unaccounted for. The Woolsey and Hill Fires in Southern California has burned nearly 103,000 acres combined, and is affecting communities in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

In response to the fires, several California United Ways have established disaster relief funds to help those impacted, particularly low-income families and children. We ask you to please spread the word on both of these efforts, and give today.

Camp Fire Fund in Butte County by United Way of Northern California

Website: https://www.norcalunitedway.org/camp-fire
Text to Give: Please text BUTTEFIRE to 91999
Social Media Hashtag: #CampFire

Hill and Woolsey Fires in Southern California by United Way of Greater Los Angeles and United Way of Ventura County

Website: https://www.unitedwayla.org/en/give/disaster-relief-fund/
Text to Give: Please text UWVC to 41444 to support those in Ventura County and 2018FIRES to 41444 in Los Angeles County
Social Media Hashtags: #HillFire #WoolseyFire

Additional Resources

United Way urges residents to call 2-1-1 for the latest information on available fire-related resources and opportunities to volunteer and provide additional support. 2-1-1 is available 24/7/365. 

With thousands of families being displaced and impacted by the Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino County, Inland Empire United Way has launched a relief fund to help families with short and long-term needs.

If you would like to support relief efforts, please text “RELIEF” to 40403 or visit their donation page. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

Arrowhead United Way established a relief fund today to support the needs of those affected by the tragedy in San Bernardino. If you would like to support their cause, please text "SBUNITED" to 71777 or visit their donation page. A disaster distress hotline is also available at 800.985.5990. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.