ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The City of St. Louis announced Wednesday it is a launching a emergency rental assistance program, with the application process will open to St. Louis residents on Dec. 3.
The city says the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is designed to support St. Louisans who are struggling with past-due rental payments and were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program offers a one-time payment to cover overdue rental payments and to prevent evictions. Funding is to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
"Keeping people in their homes is vital for our community," said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones in a release. "For many families, getting evicted will only make a bad situation worse, and it can become impossible to recover from, ultimately hurting that individual, that family, and our community."
"Providing this emergency assistance makes it easier for St. Louisans to dig themselves out of a challenging situation."
The city says it has has made $3.3 million available for emergency rental assistance through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds. The City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA) has partnered with FORWARD to operate the program.
To be eligible for the program, St. Louis residents must meet the eligibility criteria:
1. One or more individuals in the household are facing a challenge that prevents them from paying their rent on time;
2. One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability;
3. Income of 80% and below the Area Median Income (AMI) with priority for households with 50% or less AMI;
4. Applicants must be 18+ or an emancipated 15+ adult (with documentation); and
5. Reside within the city of St. Louis.
To learn more about the program, please visit here.