Couple a sputtering economy with the soaring price of gas and it's no surprise that some Simi Valley residents are finding it tougher and tougher to meet their monthly expenses.

Fortunately, the city and county have programs available to help when emergencies put folks at risk of losing the roof over their heads.

The city's eviction prevention program aids residents with a loan or grant equaling one month's rent or mortgage payment.

"(It) assists up to one month when a sudden crisis prevents a family from making their rent or mortgage payment- as long as they can stabilize themselves after that," said Shannon Nash, senior planner for the city.

The program, started six years ago, is intended to help low-income residents get through a sudden shortfall of income that may be due to a medical emergency or unexpected job loss.

"Whatever the reason, the loss has to be short-term," Nash said. "It can't be chronic where the people are in over their heads each month."

For someone who's lost a job to qualify for the eviction prevention program, he or she must already have obtained a new job but not yet received a paycheck.

For a family of four, the maximum gross annual income to qualify for the program is $68,500.

And the money doesn't always need to be paid back to the city, Nash said.

"Repayment depends on the family's ability to pay," she said. "The money can be in the form of a grant or a loan."

Other financial-assistance programs offered by the city are the security deposit program and the first-time buyers program.

The security deposit program helps low-income residents with as much as twothirds of the deposit money required to get into adequate housing. The first-time buyers program helps people purchase their first home.

"Housing prices are coming down, and our first-time homebuyers program has been more active," Nash said. "It's available for people with incomes that are higher than the low-income category."

The city's affordable housing guide, which can be picked up at city hall, lists rentals throughout Simi Valley where the city has negotiated lower rates.

Potential renters may add their name to the waiting list by calling (805) 583-6899.

At the county level, a 211 helpline is offered to aid residents in dealing with rental or mortgage concerns.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Ventura and Santa Clara counties is a nonprofit service providing debt counseling. CCCS offers workshops and counseling sessions on bankruptcy, reverse mortgages and managing credit card debt.

There is no charge for services. CCCS has an office in Camarillo and can be reached by calling (800) 540-2227 or by visiting www.gotdebt.org.

"We are an advocate for the homeowner and help them negotiate workable payments with their bank or mortgage company," said Vianey Arroyo, certified credit and housing counselor.

"We are seeing a doubling in our clientele recently, especially in the Oxnard area."