Columbus has received an additional allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is accepting applications for its Rental Assistance Program to assist renters who are currently unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
About $200,000 has been set aside to pay rent and utilities for residents who have either been furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, not received assistance from other community agencies or who qualify as low-to-moderate income.
Robin Hilber, city assistant director of community development, emphasized that the applicant’s need for assistance must be related to COVID-19. She also said that she was hopeful that the $200,000 will be enough to meet the community’s needs.
“Other agencies such as United Way and Sans Souci, Lincoln Central Neighborhood (Family Center) have been helping people over the last couple of months,” Hilber said. “So we’re hopeful that this will, in fact, pick up where maybe some of them have left off.”
Renters applying for this emergency financial assistance must have proof of a delinquency from the landlord or utility company, as well as documentation of their financial hardship and their future financial ability to pay.
“The employer has to actually certify that they were laid off or furloughed and that they have a job to come back to or that they have some form of ability to pay in the future,” Hilber explained.
The assistance must bring the renter current with rental payments, with the remainder of any delinquent payments being paid prior to assistance being granted. Residents must reside within the boundaries of the city of Columbus.
Checks will be made payable to the landlord, who is required to provide a W-9 form to the city. Income verification documentation, a duplication of benefits form, a copy of the current lease and a letter of delinquency and/or utility bills is also required.
Applications are available in English and Spanish on the city’s website and should be mailed, emailed, or dropped off to the Administrative Resources association (ARa) at 748 Franklin St. ARa is administering the program for the city and will process applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We don’t know the total number of people who will qualify, and the funds are available for up to three month,” Hilber explained. “So obviously, the number of people who are helped through this program will be dependent on whether we’re paying one month’s rent, or rent and utilities both, or three months of rent and utilities.”
Additional information can be found on the city’s website at columbus.in.gov, or by contacting Victoria Bechert at ARa at (812) 376-9949.
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Visit columbus.in.gov/community-development/cdbg-information/short-term-rent-assistance-program/ for more information about eligibility, requirements and application materials.
Location of rental units must be within the Columbus city limits.
Applications and forms should be mailed, emailed or dropped off to: Victoria Bechert, 748 Franklin St., Columbus, IN 47201 or email to [email protected].
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