Rental Assistance Program Expands Eligibility, Streamlines Application Processing

Dunedin FL

17 September, 2021

8:02 PM

Description

From the City of Dunedin: September 16, 2021 Federal funds are available to help residents avoid evictions, pay utility bills Renters in Pinellas County can apply for financial assistance if they have experienced a significant reduction in income or increase in costs since March 13, 2020; the financial hardship no longer needs to be a result of COVID-19, as previously required. Program application and policies have been streamlined to ensure that assistance quickly reaches the renters who need it most. Program changes went into effect , Sept. 7. Application portal and additional information Emergency Rental Assistance Helpline: 855-379-3515 Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Pinellas County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is expanding its eligibility criteria and streamlining application processing to help more renters who have faced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit Pinellas County for More Information Pinellas County residents who experienced a significant reduction in income or increase in costs at any point during the pandemic (since March 13, 2020), may now qualify for financial assistance with rent or utilities, even if their financial hardship was not a result of the pandemic. Previously, applicants were required to indicate proof of a direct or indirect financial impact from the pandemic. The new eligibility requirements went into effect Sept. 7. Applications that were previously denied but may now qualify under the new eligibility requirements will be reconsidered. Applicants will not need to reapply and will be contacted if they are now eligible for assistance. Program details Program funds can now provide up to 18 months of financial support, covering missed rent and utility payments as well as future costs. Rent payments are made directly to applicants' landlords, and utility payments are paid directly to utility providers. The program eligibility changes result from a second round of federal funding for emergency rental assistance, which came with updated spending guidelines. Through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pinellas County received $9.7 million in initial additional funding, with up to $24.4 million available based on achievement of U.S. Treasury milestones. The City of St. Petersburg was awarded $6.3 million with advance funding of $2.5 million. The money is intended to prevent evictions and keep people in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first round of federal funding, Pinellas County received $21.4 million in February through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to establish the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The City of St. Petersburg received $8 million for St. Petersburg residents. The Pinellas County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is jointly administered by Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg through a shared application portal. Pinellas County has distributed $9 million to 1,294 households to date, and the City of St. Petersburg has distributed $4.1 million to 576 households. Who is eligible? Emergency Rental Assistance Program applicants must be Pinellas County renter households in which one or more individuals meet the following criteria: Experienced significant financial hardship between March 13, 2020, and now Is behind on rent payments or at risk of missing a rent payment Has a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), with priority given to households below 50% of the AMI (AMI limits available at www.bit.ly/rental-ami. For a single-person household, 80% of the AMI is $39,400. For a household of four, 80% of the AMI is $56,250. Priority will also be given to applicants who are facing an active eviction in court. Free legal assistance with eviction is also available for applicants through community partners of the program. This press release was produced by the City of Dunedin. The views expressed here are the author's own.