NEW ORLEANS — An overwhelming number of Louisiana renters applied for help from the state's Emergency Rental Assistance program in the three days since it was announced by Gov. John Bel Edwards, ending the first phase of the program.
After the program was announced Thursday, more than 40,000 renters applied for help, leading officials to suspend the program Sunday, a press release published on the Louisiana Housing Corporation's website said.
The first phase of the program was funded with $7 million, but the next phases of the program will be funded by $17 million that are not yet available but expected soon, the release said.
The LHC administers and funds the program in partnership with the state Office of Community and Development. Renters looking for help can sign up to be notified when applications will be accepted again.Visit LaRentHelp.com.
Applications will continue to be processed by the LHC, and applicants who qualified for help will get a follow-up.
To qualify in future phases, applicants must:
- Rent an apartment or house in Louisiana
- Have a valid and current written lease signed by the landlord
- Have lost income because of COVID-19
- At risk of being evicted
- Income is at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
Here are the income requirements by household size:
- 1 Person $13,500
- 2 Person $15,450
- 3 Person $17,350
- 4 Person $19,300
- 5 Person $20,850
- 6 Person $22,400
- 7 Person $23,900
- 8 Person $25,450
Renters are not eligible if they live in public housing, receive any other kind of housing assistance from the government or if their landlord is a relative.
Payments will go directly to landlords.
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