Updated December 8, 2020
What is the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program?
The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program provides housing assistance payments to help prevent eviction, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners. Local administrators will review applications from individuals and families requesting assistance, verify eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program is no longer able to accept applications. Please sign up for our eNews list if you want to receive program updates. For other housing resources, visit this webpage and click on the “Resources for Renters and Homeowners” section.
I submitted my application. What happens next?
Online Applications
- If you submitted your housing assistance application in the online system and it had a “Verification” or “Submitted” status before the December 7 application deadline, a local administrator will review it.
- If your application status in the online system had an “In Progress” status before the December 7 application deadline, it has been withdrawn and will not be processed.
- You can check the status of your assistance request(s) by logging into your online account and reviewing the status listed next to your assistance request. You can find additional help here or contact the HousingLink helpline at 877.314.1401.
Paper Applications
- If your paper application was postmarked by December 7, and you included copies of past-due bills and income verification, a local administrator will enter your application into the online system for processing.
Due to very high demand, it may take several weeks or longer from the time an application is submitted until the local administrator contacts you to continue the process.
The length of time to process your application will vary and includes factors such as whether you need help with documentation, the completeness of the documentation, and the number of applications under consideration by the local administrator.
Please gather the following documentation now so you are ready when you are contacted by your local administrator:
- Your past four weeks of income or you may self-certify your income
- The actual past due bill or notice you are seeking assistance for
- The name, phone number and email address for the person or business who will receive the payment if approved
You can notify your landlord or mortgage servicer that they will need to fill out a W-9 form if your application is approved. W-9 forms are not required from utility companies. The housing assistance payment cannot be made until your landlord or mortgage servicer provides the form W-9 directly to the local administrator.
I was denied COVID-19 housing assistance. Is there an appeals process?
Yes. Please see the appeals policy for more information.
Why did the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program stop accepting applications after December 7?
The COVID-19 Assistance Program is funded by federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and this funding expires on December 31, 2020. Local administrators need the rest of December to review and process as many applications as possible.
I don’t qualify for this program, but I still need help paying my rent or mortgage. Where can I look for help?
Visit the Resources for Renters and Homeowners section of our COVID-19 webpage for a list of other resources.
