Who is Eligible for Keep Fremont Housed? 

Applicants will not be asked about their citizenship, nor will they be required to show proof of citizenship.

In order to be eligible for rental assistance, applicants must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling/room or pay space rent on a mobile home and must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a Fremont resident
• Household Income is at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). See more information below
• One or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic
• One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability

Not in Fremont?

• Oakland Residents can apply on the City of Oakland's website here.
• All other Alameda County Residents can apply through Alameda County's website here.  
• California renters outside of Alameda County should start with the State's website here. 

Alameda County Area Median Income (AMI) Limits

To qualify for the program, an applicant’s annual household gross income (before taxes) must not exceed the income limits in the table below based on their household size. For example, a  two-person Fremont household cannot earn more than $83,550  a year at 80% AMI before taxes to be eligible for the program.

What Documentation is Needed? 

There is no "Save" option in the online application.  Please be ready to upload all documentation before applying.  If uploading all documentation is not possible before application submittal, please reference the following options to upload documentation under "How Do I Apply for Keep Fremont Housed."

To download at printable checklist of required documents click on your selected language below. 

English   Farsi   Mandarin  Punjabi   Simplified Chinese   Spanish 

Required from Tenants

• Valid photo identification (i.e. valid driver’s license, State ID, passport, matricula).
• Proof that the need for rental assistance and/or utility assistance is a result of significant financial expenses and debt, a job loss or loss of income directly related to COVID-19. Please submit one of the following:
  • Layoff letter or letter demonstrating reduced income issued by the employer after April 1, 2020
  • State or Federal Unemployment Insurance letter
  • Paystubs demonstrating decreased income. Include the last paycheck stub received at full pay and the most current paystub demonstrating the loss of income
  • If you are self-employed/contract worker/gig worker and have experienced reduced income due to COVID-19, submit documentation of income made prior to the reduction of income and the most current documentation of income. For example, gig workers can submit their monthly ridership and income history.
  • Any eviction notice given to the tenant because of nonpayment due to COVID-19
  • Significant expenses related to COVID-19. Please submit your receipts.
• For all household members, documentation of gross 2020 income OR gross income for the past 60 days from the date of application submittal. Please submit the following to demonstrate annual household income OR current household income for everyone living in your home:
  • Household 2020 tax returns
  • Paystubs
  • Letter from government agency or printout of County benefits
  • Disability Insurance statements
  • Social Security statements
  • W-2 or other wage statements  
  • bank statements demonstrating regular income
• If you have unpaid utility bills (water, gas/electric, and garbage), provide the first billing statement(s) after April 1, 2020 AND the most current statement(s). 

Required from Landlords 

All three documents are required: 

• Copy of lease held by the Applicant. If a lease is not available, please submit one of the following: a signed attestation by the landlord, utility bill in the applicant’s name, bank statement showing payments to the landlord, or check stubs showing evidence of paid rent 
• Documentation from landlord for rent owed – signed by landlord or authorized representative 
• IRS Form W-9 completed by the landlord. Click here to download off the IRS website.

How Do I Apply for Keep Fremont Housed?    

• You can start your application by clicking the "click here to apply button" above. Or if your online access is not consistent, you may call the Fremont Family Resource Center (FRC) at 510-574-2028 to apply by phone. Callers who get voicemail will be instructed to leave a message requesting assistance with Keep Fremont Housed with their name and phone number clearly stated. This number can also be called if you have questions about the program.
• The application requires the submission of documents that can be uploaded online as part of the online application process, sent via email through an autogenerated email from the application portal, or sent via secure email. If sending by secure email, please include your first and last name in the subject line. Alternately if these digital options are not available, please schedule an appointment to drop off your documents for scanning at the FRC.
• The application requires the submission of documents that can be uploaded online as part of the online application process.  If you need assistance uploading your documents, please call the FRC at (510) 574-2028.
• Applicants will be notified of the results of the evaluation process by email after their completed application has been reviewed. 
• If selected for assistance, payment will be made directly to your landlord and/or your utility provider.

How will applications be evaluated?

Higher priority will be given to completed applications requesting rental and/or utility assistance based on one or more of the following factors:

Priority Guidelines:

1. Applicants have a level of household income at 50% AMI or lower;
2. Eligible households include an individual who has been unemployed for the 90 days prior to application submittal;
3. Applicants who are rent burdened (rent is over 50% of household income)
4. Tenants in affordable housing developments

Who Do I Contact for More Information or if I have questions?

For questions, application assistance, or language assistance, please call the FRC main line at 510-574-2028 and FRC staff will assist you.

Do you need language assistance to complete your application?  We have assistance available for the following languages: 

Chinese: 510-574-2175

Dari: 510-257-5942, 209-834-6494

Farsi: 510-257-5942 

Hindi: 510-491-6699 

Korean: 510-414-2700 

Punjabi:  510-491-6699 

Spanish: 510-229-8197, 510-410-8392, 510-881-7767 

Urdu:  510-491-6699 

To download a printable informational flyer, click on your language selection below:

Dari   English   Farsi   Punjabi   Simplified Chinese  Spanish  Traditional Chinese

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 General Program Questions

 1) What is the Keep Fremont Housed Program?

 The Keep Fremont Housed  Program helps eligible Fremont households with incomes at or below 80% of area median income who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters who need help with rent and utilities. This program is made possible by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

What are the General Program Guidelines?

 2) Are there Priority Guidelines?

Applications will be reviewed when all documentation has been provided. Applications will then be given  priority if they demonstrate:

• Applicant has a level of household income at 50% AMI or lower;
• Eligible households include an individual who has been unemployed for the 90 days prior to application submittal;
• Applicant is rent burdened (rent is over 50% of household income);
• Households is economically unstable with without assistance could become homeless

3) How much rental assistance can I qualify for?

 Applicants are eligible for rental and utility assistance beginning April 1, 2020, the date of the federal COVID-19 emergency declaration. For rental assistance, the Keep Fremont Housed program can pay both  rental arrears and prospective rent directly to the landlord not to exceed a 12-month period. Assistance for prospective rent will be considered for applicants meeting the program’s priority guidelines and is not guaranteed.

 4) If I live with a roommate, can we both apply?

 Only one application per residence/household will be permitted.

5) Can I qualify for emergency rental assistance if I am receiving another form of rental subsidy, such as Section 8, rapid rehousing assistance, or rental assistance from non-profit agencies?

 Households currently receiving rental subsidies such as Section 8, rapid rehousing assistance, or rental assistance from non-profit agencies may apply. Keep Fremont Housed is eligible to only pay for the  unpaid, unsubsidized portion of the rent.  All applicants must certify that the Keep Fremont Housed  assistance requested does not duplicate any other assistance, including federal, state, or local assistance provided for the same costs. Non-Duplication of assistance is subject to City verification.

6) Do I need to have my landlord’s contact information when I apply?

 Yes, you should have your landlord’s name and phone number or email address at the application stage.

 7) If I am chosen to receive rental and/or utility assistance, am I obligated to pay it back?

No. the rental relief is a grant provided by the Federal Government to reduce consumer debt owed to landlords for rent.

8) If I am a tenant with commercial rent, will I qualify?

The program only assists eligible applicants with residential rental assistance not commercial rent.

9) If I am a mobile homeowner with space rent, can I apply for the program?

Yes, the program will assist eligible mobile homeowners with space rent.

10) Are landlords able to apply on behalf of the tenant?

No, but landlords are strongly encouraged to notify their tenant(s) that this program is available and urge tenants to apply. Landlords are also encouraged to support the application process of their tenants by providing documentation and access for scanning or uploading documents as needed.  The City has produced information about the program in five languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Farsi and Punjabi) which may be found at https://fremont.gov/keepfremonthoused. If you are a landlord please forward this information to your tenants, as appropriate. The City is interested in providing priority processing to tenants who reside in units operated by Affordable Housing Developers and also to tenants in units owned by small landlords which have 5 or fewer units.

11) If I have already been approved for emergency rental assistance from a previous program, am I eligible to receive additional assistance?

 If you have received assistance through a previous program, you can still apply to this program. Any arrears already covered by previous programs would not be allowable.

12) Will landlords be taxed for receiving the rental subsidy?

Yes, just as they are taxed for their regular rental income. Landlords will be required to submit an IRS-1099. Landlords will also be asked to submit a W-9 to the City in order to receive payment.

13) As a renter, do I need to be behind in rent to be eligible for the program?

No, a renter does not need to be behind in rent but does need to have a reduction in income related to COVID-19, live in Fremont, and meet household income eligibility requirements. (See priority requirements for those most in need).

14) Do you have to be a U.S citizen to be eligible for the program?

No, the program is open to all renters, regardless of immigration status.

Application Questions

15) How do I submit an application for Keep Fremont Housed?

You may submit an application online at the following https://fremont.gov/keepfremonthoused. If you do not have internet access and need assistance in completing an application, call (510) 574-2028 to be connected to someone who will be able to assist you.

16) Do I need an email address to apply? What if I do not have an email address?

 A valid email address is required to submit an online application. If you do not have one, please contact the Fremont Family Resource Center at 510-574-2028 and our non-profit partners at (list non-profit partners) who can assist you with obtaining an e-mail address.    

 17) Will I need to provide supporting documents with my application?

Yes, you will need to provide supporting documents with your application.  Please visit review the "What do I need?" section for more information on documentation assistance.  It is highly encouraged that you upload your documents with your application when you submit it to ensure faster processing.  However, if you cannot upload all your documents when you first submit your application, you will have an opportunity to submit your documents after your application is submitted. An Assister will contact you if you are missing any needed documents.

18) How will I be notified if I have been selected?

All applicants will be notified if they have or have not been selected through e-mail.  Your submitted application will be assigned to an Assistor, who will work with you to finalize your application.   

 19) What are acceptable forms of verifications that should be submitted with my application?

 Visit www.fremont.gov/keepfremonthoused for a list of required documentation.

20) When can I expect my application to be processed and payment to be disbursed if approved?

 Applications will be prioritized for review based on several factors. Only applications with completed documentation will be reviewed.  Applications will be given priority for review if they meet the Priority Guidelines as follows: Higher priority will be given to completed applications as follows:

Priority Guidelines:

• Applicants have a level of household income at 50% AMI or lower;
• Eligible households include an individual who has been unemployed for the 90 days prior to application submittal;
•  Applicants who are rent burdened (rent is over 50% of household income).
• Households which are economically unstable with without assistance could become homeless

Applications meeting the priority criteria will be evaluated first.  All applications meeting eligibility will be considered for funding.  The City currently has $7.1 million dollars in funding available and another 7.7 million reserved for future use.