Local News
Financial assistance program launched to help Linn County residents facing evictions
Linn County, Iowa – Linn County residents who have fallen behind on rent or utility payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can now get financial assistance.
Linn County is delivering rent and utility aid to Linn County residents under the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), with the help of Waypoint and HACAP.
This program may provide eligible residents with up to 18 months of rent and/or utility assistance. Applicants must be able to provide documentation or self-certify experiencing a financial hardship in their household that has affected their ability to pay rent.
With $5.3 million in funding from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Linn County hopes to begin stabilizing the current housing crisis and provide security and peace of mind to its most vulnerable renters and their landlords. These funds are intended to keep Linn County residents in their housing or access new housing, while helping and supporting our community landlords.
“We are excited to offer this program knowing that we are able to meet entire needs of both renters and landlords,” said Linn County Community Outreach & Assistance Director Ashley Balius. “We have been working really hard to get this program off the ground and in a way that utilizes the flexibility offered by Treasury to get assistance out the door as quickly and efficiently as possible while maintaining program integrity.
Eligible Linn County residents can apply for assistance on the Linn County website at LinnCounty.org/ERA. Tenants who are overdue on rent should not wait for an eviction notice to seek help and may already be eligible for financial assistance based on the criteria below.
Who is eligible for the ERAP?
- To be eligible for assistance from the ERAP, you must be a rental household and able to provide documentation or self-certify the following:
- Household income with no more than 80% of the Annual Median Income (AMI)
- Proof of financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March of 2020
- Note: Those negatively impacted by the August 2020 derecho will meet this requirement
Proof the household is experiencing housing instability such as:
- Threat of, pending, or current eviction
- Threat of or a current utility shut off
- Threat of homelessness
Rent payments will be made by HACAP directly to the landlords or property managers of successful applicants. These funds must be used to cover past rent payments back to March 13, 2020, first, before tenants can receive additional rental assistance to cover up to three months of future payments.
-
Local News1 week ago
Following a fatal crash, a Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to 25 years in prison with a 70% mandatory minimum after a deadly crash
-
Iowa2 weeks ago
Challenges and bans on books are becoming more common in Iowa libraries
-
Local News6 days ago
Cedar Rapids’ Cardboard Boat Regatta is coming back this summer
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Patients with AFib benefit from new technology developed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Swisher downtown businesses start an Economic Alliance group
-
Local News1 week ago
Downtown Cedar Rapids sees the return of the Sapadapaso Parade
-
Local News1 week ago
Muscatine school nurse named Iowa School Nurse of the Year
-
Local News2 weeks ago
The renowned Marshalltown geese require additional water for their pond
Leave a Reply