Starting
July 6
th, The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and county organizations will begin accepting applications for the CARES Rent Relief Program. $150 million dollars has been dedicated to rental assistance for tenants throughout the Commonwealth impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and both landlords and tenants must fill out applications in order to utilize the rental assistance. Below are the guidelines regarding this program:
Program Guidelines:
- To qualify, renters must have lost income due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Renters must document at least a 30% reduction in income since March 1, 2020, related to COVID-19 or
- Renters must have become unemployed after March 1, 2020 as a result of COVID-19
- Renter’s income may not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence (and adjusted for the number people in your household).
- Find the Area Median Income by county here
- Payments will be made directly to the landlord.
- CARES RRP funds may only be used to cover rent incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020.
- Property owners are eligible to apply on behalf of lessees.
- The maximum amount of monthly assistance is $750. The maximum CARES RRP funding available is $4,500 throughout a period of six months.
Property Owner Responsibilities:
- Property owners seeking CARES RRP assistance on behalf of tenant households and lessees applying for CARES RRP funding must complete and submit the Landlord Application, Landlord/Property Certification Form, and Lessee Household Certification.
- Property owners must commit that they will not begin any eviction proceedings for any other rent within 60 days from the date rent was due within the last month for which assistance was provided.
- Properties must meet the Housing Quality Standards on the Landlord/Property Certification
Here are the steps to apply:
- Complete the three applications that require both renter and property owner involvement.
- Use this link to find your county’s office administering this program. Mail or email your application and supporting documents to your county office. Your county will follow-up with additional guidance and instruction.
