APPLY FOR HOUSING
What Is It?
The Cumberland County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available for eligible households financially impacted by COVID-19. Eligible households are defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets
the following criteria:
- Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19, OR
- Has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic;
- Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Has a household income at or below 80% of the area median income level.
Eligibility
- All applicants must live in Cumberland County.
- All applicants must meet income eligibility criteria and must have a documented loss of income due to COVID-19 or during the coronavirus pandemic. Program recipients may not receive rental assistance from other sources to cover the same expense. After 6 months of assistance, applicants will need to provide copies of updated income documentation.
- Renter households may apply for rent and/or utility assistance (arrears, current and future) for up to 18 months in 3 month increments.
- Renter households and landlords may need to submit a new application at 12-15 months of assistance.
- Renter households may seek assistance for any arrears beginning March 13, 2020.
- Households may return for additional assistance if they continue to have a need.
- Utilities are limited to electricity, gas, fuel oil, internet, water and sewer and trash removal.
- Priority is given to those applicants that are below 50% of the area median income or unemployed for 90 days. The program limits eligibility to households with income that does not exceed 80% of area median income.
- All payments will be made directly to the landlord or utility company, except in extreme circumstances.
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 80% AMI | $55,900 | $63,900 | $71,900 | $79,850 | $86,250 | $92,650 | $99,050 | $105,450 |
| 50% AMI | $34,950 | $39,950 | $44,950 | $49,900 | $53,900 | $57,900 | $61,900 | $65,900 |
