The Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program will close on August 5, 2022. The ERA Program is a federally funded program that was implemented in early 2021 to assist residents impacted by the pandemic with rental expenses. Eligible renters should submit their application by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2022. All applications submitted after 4 p.m. will be denied.
Assistance through the ERA Program is available to all active renters in Stark County. One or more members of the household must qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Applicants must be able to provide evidence of homelessness or housing instability, and their household income must fall below 80% of the area median income. The ERA Program recognizes the urgent need for assistance among individuals and families with a household income below 50% of the area median income and recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. These households will be prioritized for assistance.
Funds received through this program can potentially be used to pay rental arrears dating back to March 13, 2020, not to exceed 12 months. In limited situations, the program may be able to assist with moving into a new residence. All payments will be made directly to the landlord or property owner.
Renters must provide the following items with their application:
When a determination has been made on an application, a disposition notice (ERA006) will be delivered to both the tenant and the landlord. This will include information specific to the approved or denied direct benefit and notification of the applicant’s County Conference rights.
Applications can be downloaded from our website at StarkJFS.org. To request an application packet by mail, please call 330-451-RENT (7368) or email [email protected].