City Of Huntsville: City Of Huntsville Announces Changes To Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Press release from the City of Huntsville:

November 12, 2021

Changes are coming to the City’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to assist households suffering financial hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Huntsville is nearing the end of its available ERAP funds, provided by the U.S. Treasury to reduce housing instability, prevent eviction and offer financial relief to qualifying tenants and landlords. As a result, the application portal for the City’s first round of ERAP funding will close Friday, Nov. 12.

Community Development Manager Scott Erwin said the City will continue to process submitted applications, but will no longer accept new applications starting Friday. A second round of ERAP funding is expected beginning Dec. 1, pending approval by the Huntsville City Council. If approved, the ERAP application portal will reopen.

“While we encourage any qualified tenant or landlord in need to apply for assistance at that time, we will prioritize applications involving pending evictions or households with an income below 50% of the Area Media Income (AMI),” Erwin said. “We will also work with our nonprofit partners to address the greatest community needs.”

In March, the City received more than $6 million in ERAP funds to distribute on behalf of the tenant to the landlord and utility companies to cover past-due payments of rent and utility/home energy costs. The program has had a significant financial impact on residents throughout our community, particularly those who already had low-to-moderate income before losing their jobs or having their hours reduced due to COVID-19.

To learn more about the program, visit our website or email CovidHelp@HuntsvilleAL.gov.

This press release was produced by the City of Huntsville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.