Westmoreland County, Latrobe nonprofit set to begin 2nd round of federal rental assistance
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Since the covid-19 pandemic began, the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program has helped more than 1,000 Westmoreland County families struggling with rent or utilities to remain in their homes.
On Monday, the second round of the $25 billion program for renters and landlords is getting underway, and local partner Union Mission in Latrobe is hoping to continue that aid.
“In the first round we distributed about $6 million, and we still have funds from the first round available,” said Union Mission Executive Director Dan Carney. The nonprofit works to review and process applications, as well as distribute payments.
With more than $20 million in ERAP money allotted to Westmoreland County, that means up to $14 million is still available. Households can be eligible for up to 12 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rent or utility payments. The program is also able to cover re-housing costs for people in unstable living situations and the homeless.
Residential tenants can apply on their own, or a landlord can apply on their behalf. In addition, landlords do not have to agree to participate in order for a tenant to receive assistance.
“When you look at the demographic breakdown, it’s a lot of single-mother head-of-household applicants,” Carney said. “There are challenges there with schooling and child care, and that puts the burden back on mom to navigate employment and their responsibilities at home.”
Carney said ERAP applications have also increasingly come from older residents taking care of younger relatives.
“We get a lot of folks, grandparents, who are taking care of grandkids where they weren’t before, and experiencing costs they didn’t have before,” he said.
More details, along with links to the application, are available at ERAPWestmoreland.org. For additional information, call Union Mission at 724-539-3550.
What you need
Here is a list of documents tenants may need prior to starting the application process:
• Photo ID for all household members 18 years and older
• Copy of lease agreement
• Copy of rent statement
• Copy of eviction notice (if notice has been given)
• Copy of utility bills (if assistance for utilities is being requested)
• Proof of household income (including 2020 Tax Return or 2 months of pay stubs, unemployment letters, SSA award letters, benefits letters, etc.)
• Proof of assets (e.g. bank statements, retirement statements, investments, etc.)
• Proof of covid-19 impact (termination notice from employer, letter from employer explaining loss of hours, etc.)
• Documentation of any other assistance provided for rent/utility assistance
• Landlord name, address and contact information
• Dates of birth and Social Security numbers for household members