Emergency Rental Assistance Available

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Volusia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program received more than $16 Million in funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to help county residents who are incapable of paying rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to a release, an eligible household may receive up to six months of assistance for rent or utilities, including past due rent and utilities. An eligible household is a renter household in which at least one or more individual meets and can document the following criteria:

• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred notable costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income. 

Priority will be granted to households who are at or below 50 percent of the area median income, along with families that include an individual who has been unemployed for the 90 days before the application for assistance.

With limited funds available, the county will close the application window after receiving 1,000 applications to ensure assistance is available for all qualified applicants.

Applications will begin to be accepted starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 10. Interested persons may apply online at www.volusia.org/ERA.