Who may qualify for assistance?

Applicants must:

• Have been affected by the Bug, Fred Mountain, Stallion, or Hawk fire;
• Demonstrate an eligible disaster-related need;
• Meet applicable income requirements; and
• Meet applicable housing requirements.

What income limit applies?

Household gross annual income must be at or below 150% of Area Median Income (AMI).

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
AMI 150%	$122,750	$140,250	$157,750	$175,250	$189,500	$203,500	$217,500	$231,500

 

Staff will verify household income using applicable documentation. Generally, applicants must provide:

• 60 days of paystubs, or
• Two bank statements.

Valid, signed offer letters may also be accepted.

Does the household have to list everyone living in the household?

Yes. Applicants must declare all household members, and each household member must be listed on the application.

Can I file an insurance claim to be reimbursed for costs that are already covered by Disaster Recovery Assistance from the City of Reno?

No. If you receive assistance for certain costs, you cannot also receive reimbursement for those same costs from your insurance. Duplicate payments are not allowed.

How do I demonstrate that I was affected by one of the fires?

Applicants must demonstrate that their household was affected by the Bug, Fred Mountain, Stallion, or Hawk fire and that the fire resulted in an eligible need.

Documentation should be provided whenever possible.

Examples of qualifying circumstances may include:

• The applicant's residence was located within an "Evacuate Now" or "Get Set to Evacuate" zone;
• The applicant's place of employment closed because of the fire and the applicant did not receive pay;
• The applicant incurred motel/hotel expenses while seeking alternative housing because of the fire; or
• Other documented circumstances demonstrating a disaster-related hardship.

What if I do not have documentation of my hardship?

Applicants should provide verification whenever possible. Staff will review the information available and determine whether the applicant has sufficiently demonstrated an eligible disaster-related need.

Does the rent have to meet a specific limit?

Yes. Rent cannot exceed 110% of the current Fair Market Rent (FMR).

Unit Size	Efficiency (Studio)	1	2	3	4
110% 2026 FMR	$1,417	$1,637	$2,057	$2,792	$3,243

 

Can I receive assistance if I have already received rental or deposit assistance?

Yes. Applicants who have reached the maximum assistance available through the Rental or Deposit Assistance Program may still be eligible for AB 540 Disaster Recovery funds, provided they meet the requirements of this program.

When can rental assistance be provided?

Rental assistance may be available when a documented disaster-related expense caused the household to use money that was originally intended for rent.

For example, a household may have used rent funds for:

• Temporary motel/hotel lodging;
• Food; or
• Another allowable disaster recovery expense.

The applicant must demonstrate the disaster-related hardship and resulting rental shortfall.

What documentation may be required for rental assistance?

Documentation may include:

• Current lease;
• Rent ledger;
• Receipts;
• Proof of disaster-related expenses; or
• Other documentation demonstrating the household's need.

What is security deposit assistance?

Security deposit assistance helps eligible households obtain safe and sustainable replacement housing following a qualifying disaster-related hardship.

Do I need to identify a unit before receiving deposit assistance?

Yes, applicant must identify an eligible unit in Washoe County.

How much can the rent be?

The rent cannot exceed 110% of the current FMR.

What happens after I receive security deposit assistance?

If approved for security deposit assistance, the applicant must provide a signed lease within one week after move-in.

What is application fee assistance?

Eligible applicants may receive assistance with one housing application fee when the fee is necessary to secure replacement or other eligible housing following a qualifying disaster-related hardship. Upon approval of unit, application fee will be credited to the ledger and paid directly to the landlord.

Who may receive motel/hotel assistance?

Eligible households may receive short-term motel/hotel assistance when temporary lodging is necessary because of a qualifying fire-related displacement or housing hardship.

How long can motel/hotel assistance be provided?

Motel/hotel assistance may be provided for up to 90 days.

Will the program pay me directly for my motel/hotel?

No. Motel/hotel payments are made directly to the motel/hotel vendor.

The motel/hotel must allow payment through invoicing. Applicants will not receive direct payments for motel/hotel assistance.

Food assistance is provided to renters who meet eligibility requirements and have experienced substantial food loss because of power outages. Food assistance is applied as a credit directly to the tenant's rental ledger.

Who qualifies for food assistance?

Renters or Homeowners seeking deposit assistance, who experienced a power outage or loss of food due to the fires may be eligible for food assistance, which is applied as a credit directly to the tenant's rental ledger.

How much food assistance is available?

Eligible applicants may receive:

$400 per person, per month, for up to one month.

Will I receive a check or cash for food assistance?

No. Food assistance is applied as a credit directly to the tenant's rental ledger. Direct payments to applicants will not be issued.

What happens after I submit my application?

HAND staff will review the application for completeness and eligibility.

Staff will:

1. Confirm that all household members are listed;
2. Review income and housing eligibility;
3. Confirm the household was affected by a qualifying fire;
4. Review documentation of the disaster-related hardship;
5. Review requested expenses to determine whether they are allowable;
6. Contact the applicant if additional information is needed; and
7. Process eligible payments after all required documentation is received.

Will I be contacted if something is missing?

Yes. Staff will contact the applicant to determine whether assistance is still needed and request any missing documentation.

When necessary, staff may also contact the landlord to obtain updated ledgers or a signed lease.

How long do I have to provide missing documents?

Applicants and landlords generally have eight business days to provide requested documentation.

If the required documentation is not received within that timeframe, the application will be withdrawn.

Who receives the assistance payments?

Payments are made directly to the appropriate third party rather than to the applicant.

Examples include:

• Motel/Hotel assistance: Paid directly to the motel/hotel vendor.
• Food assistance: Applied as a credit to the tenant's rental ledger.
• Rental assistance: Paid directly to the landlord.
• Security deposit/Application Fee assistance: Paid directly to the landlord.

What happens if a landlord is not set up to receive payments from the City?

The landlord will need to complete the required vendor documentation so the City can establish them as a vendor.

Required documents may include:

• W-9;
• Vendor Verification Form; and
• ACH Payment Form.

• United Way Northern Nevada and the Sierra: Hawk Fire Housing Response | United Way of Northern Nevada & the Sierra
  • United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS) is partnering with Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing in times of crisis, to provide free emergency housing to residents displaced by the Hawk Fire in Reno.
• Catholic Charities of Norther Nevada: Food Pantry in Northern Nevada / Catholic Charities - Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
• Food Bank of Northern Nevada: Food Bank and Partner Distribution Calendar - Food Bank of Northern Nevada

Complete and submit the City of Reno Rental and Deposit Assistance Application on our website, www.reno.gov/housing and clicking on “I am looking for rental and deposit assistance”.

Paper applications are available on the first floor of Reno City Hall (1 E First St, Reno, NV 89501) Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Walk in hours to discuss your application with a staff member are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Our housing staff is reachable at (775)-541-8926 or email us at [email protected]

Requirement	Program Standard
Qualifying fires	Bug, Fred Mountain, Stallion, or Hawk
Maximum household income	150% AMI
Maximum rent	110% of current FMR
Motel assistance	Up to 90 days
Food assistance	$400/Person/Month/Up to one month
Missing documentation	8 business days
Signed lease after deposit assistance	Within 1 week after move-in
Motel/hotel payment	Directly to motel/hotel vendor
Food payment	Credit to tenant rental ledger