Douglas County residents struggling to pay their rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be able to apply for CARES Act funds to help cover their rent.
In a release from Douglas County on Friday, the program is described as providing funds to help residents with unpaid rent due to COVID-19 related income reductions.
"It is intended to stabilize housing for residents at the greatest risk due to loss of employment and/or loss of work hours due to the coronavirus pandemic. Funds can be used toward rent and late fee expenses, including periods that occurred after (but not before) April 1, 2020. Funds will be issued in the form of a grant and will be paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the applicant."
The online application will go live on July 27, 2020.
Several local nonprofits will work with Douglas County to assist residents with the application process, including helping residents who do not have internet or computer access to complete the online application. “We look forward to working with our nonprofit partners in the community to help Douglas County residents who have experienced job loss or a reduction in income due to COVID-19,” said Melissa Sewick, director of Douglas County General Assistance. “We know this pandemic has had a significant impact on our community and we are working diligently to ensure we can get residents the rental assistance they so critically need.”
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for the state, county, and municipal governments with populations of over 500,000 people to address necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID‐19 public health emergency. Douglas County received $166 million and allocated $10 million for rental assistance. “We are anxious to get this program started and we will closely monitor the funds to decide whether they are adequate,” said Commissioner Clare Duda, Chair of the Douglas County Board. “We could potentially increase the funding for rental assistance if we feel it’s necessary.”
What Douglas County residents should know:
- All application information will be online at www.douglascounty-ne.gov with the online application going live on July 27 at 8 a.m.
- Several nonprofits, including Heart Ministry Center, Together, Latino Center of the Midlands and Open Door Mission, will be available to assist residents who do not have computer or internet access.
- There is no "Save Application" option so residents will need to complete the entire application at once.
- Residents who still have questions should call 402-444-7232, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
More information can be found at https://www.douglascounty-ne.gov/coronovirus-relief-fund-information