The state is now taking applications for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program, an initiative aimed at helping low-income people who are struggling to make rent.
Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham says the program can provide short-term help to renters whose finances have been impacted by the pandemic.
“That benefit will allow for three months of rental payments moving forward and three months of back rental payment as additional emergency solution grant dollars are made available to the program,” says Cunningham.
The program currently has a 24 million dollar fund, but the state aims to find additional money to boost the pot.
Payment amounts and qualification depends on income, household size, and fair market rent prices in your area. Cunningham says you can only make 30 percent of the state’s average median income.
“What that represents in the state of Louisiana is for a household of one, $13,000, all the way up to $25,000 for households of four or more,” says Cunningham.
Applicants also cannot currently be in public housing or be receiving other federal rental assistance.
Governor Edwards says the program will be administered on a first come first served basis, and qualifying applicants will have rent payments made on their behalf.
“So these payments do not go to the renters, they will go directly to the landlords,” says Edwards.
The application process can be accessed through 211 or Louisianarenthelp.com.
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