Last week Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help the millions of Americans who have suffered economic losses as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Of the $21.55 billion approved for rental and utility assistance, Connecticut's allocation is $235 million and will be made available immediately through UniteCT, a new program with the Connecticut Department of Housing.
Under this program, renters who meet income and job impact qualifications may be eligible for up to $10,000 in rental assistance and up to $1,500 to pay delinquent utility charges. An "eligible household" is defined as a renter household in which one or more individuals meets all of the following criteria:
- Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; and
- Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Certifies household income at or below 80% of the HUD area median income (AMI).
Full details on qualifications, documentation, how to apply for assistance and a chart showing the 80% household AMI for our area can be found at the UniteCT web page by clicking here.
Also, there are more relief programs pending, for which we are expecting further information and guidance soon. We will keep the community up to date as new information is released.
Please stay safe!