Deadline extended for rent help

Lehigh Valley residents now have until Nov. 4 to apply for help with past-due rent resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal coronavirus relief legislation passed in March provided $3.9 billion for Pennsylvania, including at least $150 million for rent assistance and $25 million for mortgage assistance for those suffering financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Renters can get applications at www.phfa.org/pacares/rent.aspx.

A renter must complete one application while the landlord completes two. Proof of income, proof of residence and other supplemental documents are required as well.

All materials must be submitted together to one of the following agencies:

Hispanic American Organization, 462 Walnut St., Allentown, PA 18102, 610-435-5334.

Catholic Charities, 900 S. Woodard St ., Allen town, PA 18103, 610-435-1541.

Lehigh County Conference of Churches/Pathways, 457 W. Allen St., Allentown, PA 18102, 610-439-8653.

Completed applications may also be hand-delivered or mailed to the Le high County Department of Human Services, At tn: R RP ,17 S. Seventh St., Allentown, PA18101.

Support for applicants, including a checklist and a Q&Asheet, is available on PHFA’s website.

Eligible renters may receive assistance equal to 100% of their monthly rent up to $750 a month for six months between March 1 and Dec. 31. Payments will be made to their landlords on their behalf.

To be deemed eligible, renters must document at least a 30% reduction in annual income since March 1 related to the pandemic or must have been unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for unemployment compensation with the state Department of Labor and Industry. Their household income cannot exceed the area median income for their county, adjusted for the number of people in their home.

More information is available at www.lehighcounty.org. Questions maybe directed to Le high County at 610-782-3200 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

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