Resources
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At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Lift to Rise, in partnership with Riverside County and Inland SoCal United Way, formed United Lift, Riverside County’s emergency COVID-19 rental assistance program. Between June 2020 and November 2022, United Lift distributed more than $300 million countywide to over 35,000 households, representing 120,000 local residents, in an effort to reduce evictions and keep renters housed during the pandemic.
New applications are no longer being accepted. If you are seeking assistance in finding housing, paying rent or utilities, or fighting eviction, please refer to the resources below.
ConnectIE
The ConnectIE project is a community-based initiative that aims to connect individuals and families in the Inland Empire with social resources. ConnectIE was created by the partnership of Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Inland SoCal United Way and its subsidiary Inland SoCal 211+, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, and Inland Empire Health Information Organization. These are all local, community-based, not-for-profit organizations whose missions are to improve lives.
Helplines
You can dial 2-1-1 anytime, anywhere to get up to date information on resources available to you.
Eviction Protection
Riverside Legal Aid and the Superior Court of California for County of Riverside join Lift to Rise and Inland SoCal United Way in a countywide effort to keep Riverside County families housed. If you are being threatened with eviction, if you fear that your landlord might try to evict you, or if you have received an eviction notice, please contact one or all of the organizations listed.
Riverside Legal Aid
Riverside Legal Aid provides pro bono legal services to low-income residents of Riverside County, helping to navigate eviction-related issues.For more information call (951) 888-2039 or email mailto:info@riversidelegalaid.org.
Riverside Legal Aid can assist all people, regardless of immigration status.
Services are available in Spanish and other languages.
Riverside Superior Court Self-Help Center
The Riverside Superior Court Self-Help Center offers workshops and resources to assist with eviction-related legal concerns.
Services are available in Spanish and other languages.
Other Legal Assistance
Inland Empire Latino Lawyers
Inland Empire Latino Lawyers provides free legal services to income-qualified and eligible clients throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Its clinics can help with divorce and legal separation, child support and custody matters, grandparents rights.
A free legal clinic is held at the Lift to Rise office in Palm Desert on the last Wednesday of the month. Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure you are assisted. Please bring all court documents if you have an open case.
Call (951)369-3009 to make an appointment.
Other Resources
For additional information, please contact Lift to Rise at info@lifttorise.org or (760)636-0420.
Housing Authority of the County of Riverside
44-199 Monroe, Suite B Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-2828
CAP Riverside County
Utility Assistance Program
To schedule an appointment, please call (951) 955-4900.
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The pandemic showed us how the combination of high rents and low wages in Riverside County put many families at risk of losing their homes. Many turned to rental assistance programs funded by the federal government like United Lift.
Lift to Rise worked with the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy to interview aid recipients and landlords to create an extensive evaluation to understand the wins and lessons from United Lift. Some important findings were:
- The high demand for temporary rental assistance points to the need for leaders to enact meaningful solutions addressing the root causes of housing instability.
- Applicants used a range of strategies to cover rent, including taking on debt through loans and credit cards, but those who received assistance were less likely to have paid rent in the past six months by asking family or friends or by paying with a credit card.
- People seeking aid often expressed dreams of establishing a higher standard of living and financial independence. “My goal by the end of this year is to have financial freedom,” said one person.
- Tenants reported developing strong support systems and bonds with neighbors during the pandemic. “Thank God I have neighbors that are just absolutely wonderful,” said one.