ST. LOUIS — St. Louisans struggling to keep up with rent payments will have a chance to get some help from the City of St. Louis next week.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones on Wednesday announced an emergency rental assistance program is opening its application process on Dec. 3. According to the announcement, qualified residents will receive a one-time payment to help cover overdue rental payments and prevent evictions.
The announcement did not say how much qualified residents would receive, but said the total pool of money is $3.3 million, which came from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds. The funds will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, so residents are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
“The launch of the St. Louis Emergency Rental Assistance Program marks a significant step forward in supporting our St. Louis residents who have been hardest hit by the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Adam Pearson, director of the Department of Human Services, said in the press release. “This program is designed to provide immediate relief to low-income families facing eviction, giving them the stability they need to recover and rebuild."
Residents must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify:
- One or more individuals in the household are facing a challenge that prevents them from paying their rent on time;
- One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability;
- Income of 80% and below the Area Median Income (AMI) with priority for households with 50% or less AMI;
- Applicants must be 18+ or an emancipated 15+ adult (with documentation); and
- Reside within the city of St. Louis.
The application process will be handled by program administration company FORWARD, which will also assist with community outreach, application support and screening. Applicants will need to be able to provide the following to submit an application:
- proof of residency
- proof of income and identification
- details of a past-due rent or eviction notice
For more information about the program, click here.
