AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Placer County is urging renters to apply for emergency rental assistance by April 30, 2021 at RentHelpPlacer.com. Income eligible households who are unable to pay for rent and utilities because of COVID-19, have had a loss in income and make less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Placer County, may be immediately eligible to receive critical financial assistance.

“This program is essential for Placer County residents who are struggling to pay rent or utilities because of COVID-19,” said Amanda Sharp, deputy director for Placer County Health and Human Services. “Rent Help Placer is giving families in our community peace of mind knowing they can remain in their homes.”

The program has already received nearly 1,000 applications with an average of $11,000 being distributed per renter, but funds are still available for income eligible renters looking for help paying past due rent and utilities. Eligible households may receive financial assistance for unpaid rent or utilities dating back to March 2020. Additional assistance for current or future rent or utility bills may also be available. Reapplication is required for households if further financial assistance is needed. Eligible utilities include natural gas and propane, electricity, garbage, water, and sewer bills, and payments will be made to utility providers directly. Landlords are encouraged to promote the program and assist tenants in the application process. The program will provide payments directly to landlords and utility providers.

When the program first opened on March 22, eligibility criteria was based on 2019 AMI information, however, a recent update to AMI calculations now opens eligibility to more Placer County residents. To be eligible for assistance, a household must have an income at or below 80% of the AMI, which now ranges from $50,750 to $95,700 for households between one and eight people.  Applicants who have been unemployed for 90 or more days or who are at below 50% of the Placer County AMI (now $31,750-$59,800 for a household between one and eight people) will continue to be given priority.  Applicants will not be asked about their citizenship.

To check eligibility, review the required application items and apply, visit RentHelpPlacer.com or call 211 Placer at 2-1-1 (or 833-342-5211). Once an application has been processed, both the landlord and renter will be notified about its status and next steps.