Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The United States Treasury has recently introduced a program to assist renters that are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benefits include assistance with past due utility accounts (electric, natural gas), water bills and rent. Utility bills incurred from March 2020 through present will be considered.
Qualifications for Emergency Rental Assistance Program Relief
Eligible households must meet the criteria in all of the items below to apply:
- 1 or more individuals has qualified for unemployment benefits, or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the pandemic (applicant must attest in writing).
- One or more individuals demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, or any other evidence of such risk.
- The household income may not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI) based on either total income for calendar year 2020, or confirmation of monthly income at the time of application. The AMI varies by county.
For more information, and to learn about benefits available for your county, visit the Department of Human Services website.