Utah Rental Assistance during COVID-19
Just recently, the White House announced a new website created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in order to help renters and landlords find rental assistance in their area throughout the country.
(Although the extended federal evictions moratorium expires on October 3, 2021 for counties of heightened COVID-19 transmission levels, eligible renters can still apply.)
rentrelief.utah.gov is where Utah residents struggling to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19 circumstances can apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance program. Millions of dollars are available to those that are eligible, and every eligible person is encouraged to apply.
Landlords are also able to apply for rental assistance on behalf of tenants.
Eligible households include:
- “Combined household income at or below 80% of area median income
- Someone in the household has qualified for unemployment, or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19
- Household is experiencing housing instability (for example, received a past-due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, or living in unsafe or unhealthy living conditions) due to COVID-19
- Applicant resides in the household and is on the lease”
Those who are eligible to receive rental assistance can utilize funds for the following:
- Current rent plus 3 months of prospective rent (with a termed lease)
- Past-due rent
- Eligible fees
- Security deposit
- Utilities, internet and home energy costs
*Applicants can be prioritized if they have been unemployed for at least 90 days or if they are at/below 50% area median income
Details about documents needed to apply for rental assistance in Utah are also listed on rentrelief.utah.gov