Arcata council renews tenant-based rental assistance program; beneficiary calls it life-saving

The Arcata City Council on Oct. 1 adopted resolution No. 256-12 approving guidelines for the HOME Investment Partnerships tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) program and extended funding that council members said will help seniors and other vulnerable residents remain housed.

Councilmember White praised staff for targeting the program to keep “our most vulnerable residents” from falling through cracks and noted a past council decision to prioritize seniors age 55 and over on the TBRA wait list. The item had been pulled from the consent calendar for brief discussion and public comment.

Joanne McGarry, a TBRA recipient, told the council the program had been “touch and go” over the summer and described it as “a really important life saving grant” for people who currently cannot access Section 8 vouchers. McGarry said she hopes TBRA recipients will qualify for Section 8 in the future but stressed that the voucher program is currently not available for many.

After public comment the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Why it matters: The TBRA program provides direct rental assistance for residents who are otherwise at risk of homelessness. Council members framed the action as preserving housing stability for seniors and other vulnerable households while federal housing assistance waits list pressures continue.

What’s next: The program will continue under the approved guidelines; staff will administer TBRA and monitor recipients’ movement toward federal vouchers when available.