More than 2,000 apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program
More than 2,000 people have applied seeking help through the Delaware County Emergency Rental Assistance Program as the county hosts more Saturday inperson sessions throughout May.
The U.S. Treasury and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania allotted $37.2 million for the Delco Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which is a grant program to help those who experienced a loss or disruption of income because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our goal is to assist people in need in a respectful and efficient manner,” Chaurice Capps, InPerson Application Intake Specialist for the DELCO ERA Program, said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating to so many people. Many residents need help and there is no shame and no judgment to ask for help. There is money to assist residents and they are urged to apply.”
County officials want to assist 6,000 renters through this program.
So far, 50 rent and utility grants have been granted and payments have been sent to landlords and
utility companies on renters’ behalf.
“Ninety perscent of tenants applying for DELCO ERA earn very low incomes and about 20 percent are facing some stage of eviction for non-payment of rent,” Delaware County Director of Human
Services Sandy Garrison said. “We need to process DELCO ERA grant applications with a sense of urgency, and we are doing just that.”
The program will cover up to 12 months’ past due rent and three months’ future rent and, as of
May 1, all past-due utility charges.
To be eligible, residents must make 80 percent or less of the area median income for household size. As an example, for a family of four, that’s no more than $77,300. For a two-person household, that annual salary threshold is $61,850. They also must be able to prove they were impacted financially by COVID-19 through demonstrating they qualified for unemployment benefits during the pandemic or attest in writing that they or a member of their household experienced a reduction of income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship.
In addition to the in-person sessions, renters can apply online at delco-era.com. If renters have any question about the process or program, they can call 484-7294200 or email info@delco-era. com. Application Specialists are available to assist with language or disability challenges.
In-person application sessions occur every Saturday at the county’s Upper Darby office on the fourth floor of 20 S. 69th St. for tenants and landlords without Internet access.
Sessions are by appointment only and can be made by calling 484-729-4200 or emailing info@ delco-era.com. To date, more than 100 tenants and landlords have been served through these in-person intakes.
“We will continue to provide the in-person application intake service every Saturday through the end of May as it has proven to be an effective strategy to bridge the Digital Divide,” Jeremey Newberg, CEO of Capital Access, Inc., said. Capital Access is the firm hired by Delaware County Council in March to administer the program.
Part of the process requires that landlords register for the program, in addition to the tenants. As such, the county launched the Landlord Participation Program as a way to educate landlords about the benefits of participating in the program. Checks for landlords are paid through the Deluxe eChecks system and those without email will receive checks in the mail.
“We appreciate the cooperation of landlords registering in our system and providing the required supporting documents,” Garrison added. “It helps us expedite processing and payments.”
The county is also working with community service organizations to assist with outreach efforts.