Renters offered help as end to evictions moratorium looms
The Family Enrichment Network in Norwich is promoting a newly opened program that offers financial assistance to renters who are at risk of losing their homes due to COVID-related hardships. (AP File Photo)
NORWICH - With an end to the statewide evictions moratorium looming, the Family Enrichment Network is reaching out to families at risk of losing their home due to COVID-related hardships.
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) offers financial help to low and moderate-income households that are close to homelessness or housing instability. The program offers money directly to landlords and utility providers for owed rent and utility dues not paid because of tenants’ financial restraints caused by the pandemic.
ERAP specialist Shannon Wright said the Family Enrichment Network, the local agency tapped to manage state ERAP dollars in Chenango County, has been fielding phone calls from potential applicants since the program opened earlier this month. With the program set to end Aug. 31, she’s getting the word out.
“With this program, you could also apply online,” Wright said, adding that as a state program, applicants can choose to submit an application directly to the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
In addition to meeting with renters in the FLN Norwich offices, Wright has been busy making house visits to renters throughout the county. “We want to do what we can to keep people in their homes,” she said. “We don’t want people to become homeless because of back rent that they didn’t have paid.”
In the City of Norwich, where roughly 25 percent of the city’s parcels are rentals, there’s some concern over the impact that ending the moratorium will have. City Codes Enforcement Officer Amy Donnison said that based on conversations she’s had with landlords, there’s many people who would benefit by applying for ERAP assistance.
“I have, over the last year, spoken to many landlords in the city who have expressed concerns to me about the number of tenants they have who have not paid rent in the last year or more,” she said. “And so they plan on evicting as soon as the moratorium ends.”
Benefits of ERAP are generous. Households approved could get up to 12 months of back rent paid, plus up to three months of additional rental assistance and up to 12 months of utility costs.
Qualifying residents must meet certain criteria for ERAP, including a gross income at or below 80 percent of the area median income ($55,500 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), a household member who received unemployment benefits or income reduction caused by COVID-19 hardships, and be at risk of homelessness due to rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.
More information about the ERAP program is available by calling Wright at the Family Enrichment Network at 607-373-3477 Ext. 1505. Potential applicants can also visit odta.ny.gov for information or to apply directly online.
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) offers financial help to low and moderate-income households that are close to homelessness or housing instability. The program offers money directly to landlords and utility providers for owed rent and utility dues not paid because of tenants’ financial restraints caused by the pandemic.
ERAP specialist Shannon Wright said the Family Enrichment Network, the local agency tapped to manage state ERAP dollars in Chenango County, has been fielding phone calls from potential applicants since the program opened earlier this month. With the program set to end Aug. 31, she’s getting the word out.
“With this program, you could also apply online,” Wright said, adding that as a state program, applicants can choose to submit an application directly to the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
In addition to meeting with renters in the FLN Norwich offices, Wright has been busy making house visits to renters throughout the county. “We want to do what we can to keep people in their homes,” she said. “We don’t want people to become homeless because of back rent that they didn’t have paid.”
In the City of Norwich, where roughly 25 percent of the city’s parcels are rentals, there’s some concern over the impact that ending the moratorium will have. City Codes Enforcement Officer Amy Donnison said that based on conversations she’s had with landlords, there’s many people who would benefit by applying for ERAP assistance.
“I have, over the last year, spoken to many landlords in the city who have expressed concerns to me about the number of tenants they have who have not paid rent in the last year or more,” she said. “And so they plan on evicting as soon as the moratorium ends.”
Benefits of ERAP are generous. Households approved could get up to 12 months of back rent paid, plus up to three months of additional rental assistance and up to 12 months of utility costs.
Qualifying residents must meet certain criteria for ERAP, including a gross income at or below 80 percent of the area median income ($55,500 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), a household member who received unemployment benefits or income reduction caused by COVID-19 hardships, and be at risk of homelessness due to rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.
More information about the ERAP program is available by calling Wright at the Family Enrichment Network at 607-373-3477 Ext. 1505. Potential applicants can also visit odta.ny.gov for information or to apply directly online.
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