Rental help available for Carbon County residents
May 9—Carbon County hopes to reach more residents who need assistance with rent or utilities due to financial problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Commissioner Chris Lukasevich hosted a virtual information session Wednesday morning to bring more awareness to the county's Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Some $4.22 million is available for help with rent and utilities such as electricity, heat, water and sewer due to hardships caused by the pandemic.
Catholic Charities of the Allentown Diocese, which is administering the program for the county, has only expended $500,000 in the first five weeks, and the agency believes more people need help.
Tom Miller of Catholic Charities encouraged people to apply for the assistance if they've lost a job or can't work because of lack of child care, etc.
"You should go into this process as if you do qualify," he said. "And let us work with you."
This rental assistance program is less restrictive than funds distributed through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding last year, Miller said.
"It's easier to say yes than with the CARES funding," he said.
Both landlords and tenants are eligible to apply and the agency brings both parties into the process, no matter which party applies, Miller said.
The pandemic has impacted both tenants, who can make rent payments, and landlords, who may not have received rental payments in a year or more, Miller said.
People are eligible for 12 to 15 months of funding, retroactive to March 2020, and also for three months of payments in advance, he said.
Some people need more help in getting back onto their feet than just assisting with past due rent or utilities, Miller said. The hardship has been so great for some that the additional payments are needed, as some are just getting back to work, he said.
The funding can also help in situations where new housing is needed and a first month and security deposit must be presented, Miller said.
Every case differs, but funding could be available as soon as 24 hours after filing if all the proper paperwork is submitted, he said.
A county caseworker said he had an applicant who needed emergency assistance and the process happened very quickly with the person being set up in a hotel until additional arrangements could be made.
Miller said that he is familiar with the case, and the goal is always to find a way to help people. The agency has additional resources that can help those who apply as well, he said.
"My goal is to help as many people as possible that need help," Miller said. "The goal is to say, 'Yes.' The last thing I want is to return any money."
He believes the program is being underutilized in Carbon County, as his agency also is administering the program for Lehigh County, where far more funds have been doled out in the first few weeks, he said.
About 20 or 22 landlords and 40 to 50 households in Carbon County have been helped through program so far and $500,000 distributed, Miller said.
"I'm not satisfied with that number. I think there are more out there," he said.
More information and links for an application are available through Catholic Charities' website, catholiccharitiesad.org, or through the county commissioners' Facebook page. People can also call 570-491-8245 to talk to someone about the program.
Contact the writer: kmonitz@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3589
