There is a state wide program that can help individuals with rental assistance that have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. Program Manager, Rene Rosso stopped by Castle Country Radio to share all the details about the assistance program.

“So the Emergency Rental Assistance program can assist anybody who’s been impacted by COVID meaning loss of income due to COVID, or their hours were cut due to COVID, they were laid-off and denied unemployment, or they were laid-off and receiving unemployment but its still not enough to cover their housing expenses,” stated Rosso. The program’s goal is to help people impacted by the pandemic stay in their housing and maintain the stability of their families during these hard times.

The program allows for an individual to receive assistance up to 12 months. Rosso explains what expenses this program will cover, “So it can cover rent, rent arrears, security deposits. So if you’ve been displaced due to COVID it can help you get into a place as well. Utilities, internet, and if you have utilities that are behind and you’re about to get a shut-off he can help cover that full expense.”

The application process is done online and there is some documentation that has to be submitted along with the application. “So the website is https://rentrelief.utah.gov/ and you’ll just go in there and fill out the application online and you’ll have to upload the documents. We go in and we’ll check all the documents that are uploaded. If there are any missing documents the client will receive an email with what’s missing and they’ll have to go in and upload that,” explained Rosso. Documentation that may be needed could be copies of lease agreement, letter stating you are behind on rent and income certification – just to name a few.

If you are interested in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and would like more information please contact Rosso at (435) 613-0067 or (435) 613-0021