A Triangle J Council of Governments
FUNDING ALERT!
NC Housing Opportunities & Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program Now Open
About
The NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program is now accepting applications to provide a total of $117 million in rent and utility assistance to renters who have been impacted by COVID-19, have a current household income that is 80 percent of the area median income or lower, and are behind on rent or utility payments. Ultimately, the program seeks to promote housing stability during the ongoing pandemic by providing rent and utility assistance to prevent evictions and utility disconnections.

How to Apply
Renters who need rent or utility assistance can apply online at nc211.org/hope. Applicants who cannot access the online application can also call 2-1-1 and speak with a program representative, who will assist the caller through the application on the phone. Callers can reach 2-1-1 Monday-Friday between 7 am and 6 pm.
What qualifies as below 80% area median income?

  • Durham-Chapel Hill MSA (Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties): 1-person family, $50,900. 2-person family, $58,200. 4-person, $72,700
  • Raleigh, NC MSA (Franklin, Wake, & Johnston counties): 1-person family, $52,750. 2-person family, $60,250. 4-person, $75,300

Area median income details by county here
Assistance Features
The HOPE Program is a grant program, not a loan program.
  • Rent Assistance: Pays rent payments on behalf of applicant, is available for up to six months, including back and future rent, is paid directly to landlords that agree to participate in the program.
  • Utility Assistance: Assists with essential utilities, such as: electricity, water and sewer/wastewater, natural gas, and propane. The assistance is available for up to six months of past due utility payments and is paid directly to the utility provider.
The HOPE Program is funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant−Coronavirus funds and U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus Relief funds, which have been provided to North Carolina. The funds are administered by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, a division of the Department of Public Safety, and will be distributed through community partner agencies across the state.