Press Releases
City of Gonzales Provides Rental and Mortgage Assistance to 33 Families
The City of Gonzales provided a total of $41,700 in grant funds to residents to assist with rental and mortgage payments. The City received the funds through the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) and the CARES and Emergency Food and Shelter Program through United Way of Monterey County (UWMC).
A total of 33 low income families (totaling129 individuals) living below the 200% poverty level were assisted with a rent payment. The funds guaranteed them an additional 30 days of housing.
One grant beneficiary stated, "I don't know what I would have done without this support because really, I am out of options at this point. I couldn't pay my rent and was going to resort to just leaving the apartment because I can't do it anymore."
The City of Gonzales started pursuing grant funding opportunities after hearing of seniors renting rooms in local housing who feared not having a place to live due to their inability to pay their rents. Many single moms with 3-4 children were struggling because hours at work had been cut and there were a few families who had to stop working and isolate due to exposure to COVID-19.
"We are extremely grateful to the United Way of Monterey County and their local leadership team as well as to the Community Foundation for Monterey County for providing this critical support for our families," said Carmen Gil, Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships for the City of Gonzales.
All available funds received from the UWMC and CFMC have been distributed. The city is currently looking for additional support to help continue this program to help additional residents with rental and mortgage assistance. For more information please call city hall at 831-675-5000 or visit www.gonzalesca.gov.
About City of Gonzales
The city of Gonzales, California is located in Monterey County. The quaint and culturally diverse community of approximately 9,000 people is in the heart of the Salinas Valley’s agricultural and wine region. Gonzales is an established regional leader in agricultural-technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Gonzales is home to companies such as HealthySoil, which manufactures products to improve agricultural crop production; Converted Organics, a natural fertilizer company; Taylor Farms, a fresh vegetable production facility, Mann Packing/Del Monte Fresh, a leading supplier of fresh cut vegetables; Ramsay Highlander, an innovator, designer and manufacturer of technologically-advanced harvesting equipment; Papé Equipment Handling, Braga Fresh, Green Valley Farm Supply, Tessemae’s, American Bioscience, Caraccioli Cellars, and Constellation Brands, an international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits.