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Family Promise outlines tenant supports as rental costs rise in Temple City
Summary
Family Promise told the council its Temple City Rental Assistance Program helped 15 families last year and now faces higher rents and full capacity; staff highlighted partnerships, supportive services and limits of six‑month assistance while council members asked whether further prioritization for seniors or safety needs is possible.
Deli Batal, case manager for Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley, told the Temple City Council the nonprofit’s Temple City Rental Assistance Program helped 15 families in the most recent year and remains at capacity.
“Partnering with other nonprofit organizations, with the schools, with any government agency, it’s very important because not one agency has all the answers,” Batal said, describing how referrals from Temple City Unified and other partners helped families secure units, obtain moving assistance and access therapy and other support services.
Batal described three recent cases: a single mother with four children who was housed after living briefly homeless, an adult child caring for an elderly parent who transitioned into paid caregiving and connected to IHSS, and a refugee family from Venezuela who moved from motel housing into permanent housing with six months of rental assistance and donated furniture.
Brian Cook and other staff confirmed Family Promise’s figures and funding sources. Staff said the program is funded through state passthroughs and relies heavily on partner referrals and recycled loan or grant funds from other local programs.
Council members asked about program limits and what happens after the six months of rental support. Batal said staff attempts to connect families to other agencies and services when extended support is required, including school‑based tutoring and mental‑health referrals for children who fell behind in school.
Council members and a public commenter urged staff to consider whether some form of prioritization is appropriate — for example, for urgent safety needs for seniors or a separate emergency category — and asked staff to return with options for altering program rules or supplementing CDBG funds to help more households.
The council thanked Family Promise for its work and asked staff to return with possible adjustments and additional program design options.
