San Diego flood survivors are getting some much-needed relief as additional funds have been made available to help cover their mortgage or rental expenses for at least another month.According to a recent analysis by real estate site Redfin, the typical household in the U.S. now needs to earn $113,520 annually to afford a median-priced home, a staggering 35% more than the average household income of $84,072.
Realtors from the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS and the San Diego Association of REALTORS, in collaboration with County Supervisor Chairwoman Nora Vargas, gathered in Southcrest on Tuesday to unveil over $1 million in funding aimed at aiding the community.
While acknowledging that this assistance may not be sufficient, one of the realtors expressed hope that it would benefit between 350 to 500 flood survivors.
Among the crowd were flood survivors who could potentially benefit from the assistance. Voicing their frustrations directly to Vargas, they accused her of neglecting flooded communities.
Addressing these concerns, Vargas assured ABC 10News that she has been actively present in the community and empathizes with their grievances. She pledged to connect with the survivors who confronted her and provide them with answers.
One flood survivor, Jerry Hernandez, emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial aid. "It's not about the money we need. We need places to live in because like we've been saying -- half of the people at the Ramada, we got funds from FEMA for rental assistance, but unfortunately, right now people are asking for 3 times the rent, your credit score or I'm on Section 8. I'm having trouble too because either they don't accept Section 8 or they haven't heard about Section 8," Hernandez said.
For those interested in applying for the grant money, individuals displaced by the floods can receive up to $2,900 to secure temporary housing. The funds are being provided through the Realtor Relief Foundation, and applications can be submitted at https://www.psar.org/floodrelief.
This initiative aims to alleviate some of the burdens faced by flood survivors in San Diego, providing critical support during a challenging time.