As part of a federal funding bill, Greenville County has launched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help those struggling with rent and utilities payments due to COVID-19.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is funded by and its regulations built from the federal Utilizing Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
“The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is a program that provides rental rent and utilities assistance for qualified residents of Greenville County,” said Bob Mihalic, the Governmental Affairs Coordinator for Greenville County. “It’s a federal program, and it comes with federal guidelines.
Basically it comes out of Washington, D.C. They threw the money out there, and now the counties are responsible for the execution of this program.”
Those who are eligible and apply will receive financial assistance with accrued rent and utilities payments, but it does not cover any other expenses like phone or internet.
Eligible households are those who meet these main three criteria:
• Qualifies for unemployment due to COVID-19 or has incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19.
• At risk of homelessness or housing instability.
• Has a household income at or below the 80 percent mark of the Area Median Income.
There is not currently a strict application deadline, but Mihalic said eligible individuals should apply sooner rather than later because funds are limited and on a first-come first-serve basis.
For additional details and to apply for the program’s assistance, visit the Greenville County website.
