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How do I apply?
The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a state list of 483 programs that spend federal funds. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has a new tool to help you apply for a rent reduction.
Who Qualifies?
In order to be eligible for the subsidy, at least one member of your household must be entitled to unemployment benefits or provide written confirmation that they have suffered a loss of income or significant expenses as a result of the pandemic. You will also need to demonstrate a risk of homelessness, which may include an overdue rent or a notice from a utility.
In addition, despite the fact that states have been instructed to prioritize applicants who fall to 50% or less, and those who have been unemployed for 90 days or more, your 2020 income level cannot exceed 80% of your region’s median income.
Some state and local programs have additional priorities and that is what you should look for.
For example, a fund in California aims to help Native American households. Another in Oklahoma sends the money to those over the age of 62 first.
How much could i get
You can receive support for up to 18 months, including a mix of repayments and future rent payments.
If you have already been approved for rent but are still in arrears, you can usually apply again as long as you apply for relief for a different period of time. The money usually goes to your landlord unless they refuse (more on this below).
I am having trouble getting help. Why?
At the beginning you are not alone.
Housing advocates point to a number of issues with introducing assistance, particularly related to some tedious application process.
Andrew Aurand, vice president of research for the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said he saw an application that was 45 pages long. Another required tenants to document their income for the past six months.
“Officials are more concerned that so-called scammers will get this money than the people who really need it,” said Dan Rose, assistant professor of sociology at Winston-Salem State University and organizer of Housing Justice Now.
If you are unable to meet a documentation requirement for a program application or are being rejected by a particular fund, find other rental support resources in your area, experts say.
It may also be worth contacting the organization and explaining why you cannot find a particular form. The latest Treasury Department guidelines encourage programs to take people at their word.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a clerk could work with the tenant,” said Aurand.
Another problem is that some landlords refuse to take the money from the programs because they do not want to agree to the terms, which may include a ban on eviction of the tenant or an increase in rent for a specific window of time.
Encounter this problem?
Experts recommend that you ask the program if you can get the funds directly.
Some programs must offer this option now if they can’t get your landlord’s collaboration, Aurand said.
I’m worried about the eviction. What should I do?
In addition to applying for rent allowance, familiarize yourself with your rights as soon as possible. These will vary depending on the state.
Most states have since lifted their eviction bans, but some are still in effect. This policy has nothing to do with the federal moratorium.
In California, where up to 1.6 million renters are behind, most landlords won’t be able to resume evictions until October.
Tenants in New Jersey cannot be kicked out of their homes until January.
If your landlord has moved to quit you, try to find a lawyer. At Lawhelp.org, you can find inexpensive or free legal assistance with an eviction in your state.
In some locations, including Washington, Maryland, and Connecticut, tenants facing eviction are now entitled to legal assistance.
Are you threatened with eviction? If you’d like to share your story for an upcoming article, please email me at annie.nova@nbcuni.com
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