Individuals and families in Chester County who are facing challenges in paying rent and utility bills due to the pandemic can receive help through the Chester County Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance Program. Earlier this year, Chester County received $34.5 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to help cover emergency rental and utility bills for individuals and families who have been severely impacted by COVID-19.
The rent and utility grants are available to individuals and families in Chester County who are obligated to pay rent and who qualify for unemployment or have experienced financial hardship due either directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 outbreak; demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and have a household income at or below 80% of the area median, which is $52,950 for a family of one and $75,600 for a family of four. The amount may be subject to change.
Those who are eligible can use the emergency rent and utility funding to pay for outstanding rent, electricity, gas, water and sewer and energy costs such as fuel oil or propane over a 15-month period.
To apply for funding, residents should call 211 and request rent and utility assistance. Five housing organizations - Friends Association, the Housing Authority of Chester County, Human Services Inc., Open Hearth Inc., and Oxford Neighborhood Services - will work with the applicants to process payments to landlords and utility providers.
More information can be found at http://www.chesco.org/4905/Rent-Assistance. Readers may also visit this site to view a virtual Chester County Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance Program webinar that was held in April and spells out who qualifies and how to apply.
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