HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-22 Corespondence - Montana Department of CommerceFrom:Montana Department of CommerceTo:AgendaSubject:RELEASE: More Than $51 Million in Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Distributed to Montanans FinanciallyImpacted by COVID-19Date:Wednesday, April 6, 2022 9:40:40 AM
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montana department of commerce
Montana Affordable Homes
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 6, 2022
CONTACT: Anastasia Burton | Anastasia.Burton@mt.gov | 406.841.2557
More Than $51 Million in Emergency Rent andUtility Assistance Distributed to MontanansFinancially Impacted by COVID-19
HELENA – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that more than
$51 million in rent and utility assistance has been distributed to help Montanans who
have experienced financial hardship directly or indirectly or during the COVID-19
pandemic and are at risk of housing instability. The federally funded assistance is
provided by the Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MERA) in the
agency’s Montana Housing Division.
“Having a stable place to live and call home is foundational for families and
individuals to succeed and retain vital connections to their communities,” said
Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “The MERA program
has helped thousands of our Montana friends and neighbors remain in their
homes and get back on their feet, and we are privileged to serve our fellow
Montanans requiring this support. I am grateful for the diligence of our staff to
make that a reality and for reaching this significant milestone,” Osterman added.
MERA provides financial support to help eligible Montanans pay future and past due
rent up to a monthly maximum of $2,200. Additionally, it provides for up to $500 per
month for past due and future utilities, including gas and electric, plus $50 per month
for internet. The program can also provide assistance for past due late rent fees,
unpaid rental security deposits, and rental application fees. Eligible households can
receive assistance for rent and utility bills dating back to April 1, 2020.
"This program has helped us to keep from being homeless while we try to regain
our financial stability in this uncertain and difficult time. It has been a true
blessing, and we probably would have lost our rental if we hadn't found the
program," said a Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program recipient.
The program serves Montanans whose gross household income does not exceed 80
percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Applicants can check their income eligibility
using Montana Housing’s online tool. Other eligibility conditions include:
One or more individuals in the household has qualified for unemployment
benefits, experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs
or experienced other financial hardship due directly, indirectly, or during the
COVID-19 emergency.
And:
The household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing
instability which may include a past due rent notice, eviction notice, or unsafe or
unhealthy living conditions.
“Over the last year, the program has assisted more than 6,880 Montanans with
more than $51.3 million total funding awarded, averaging over $7,450 per
household. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 applications submitted for
assistance under eligibility review,” said Montana Housing Division Administrator
Cheryl Cohen. “Our MERA team at Montana Housing, along with our statewide
housing partners, look forward to continuing to assist Montanans who may be
facing housing instability,” Cohen added.
The MERA program, which launched on April 5, 2021, is funded through the federal
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and American Rescue Plan Act, appropriated
to Montana Housing, a division of the Montana Department of Commerce, by the 2021
Montana Legislature through HB 3, HB 630, and HB 632.
The Department of Commerce has partnered with the Montana Legal Services
Association on the Montana Eviction Intervention Project, a program that provides civil
legal assistance for Montanans facing evictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, visit WWW.MTLSA.ORG or call 1-800-666-6899.
For more information about the program and how to apply, visit HOUSING.MT.GOV.
This email was sent to agenda@bozeman.net using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: MontanaDepartment of Commerce · P.O. Box 200501 · Helena, MT 59620-0501
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MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
301 S. PARK AVE. | PO BOX 200501 | HELENA, MT 59620-0501 | P: 406.841.2700 |
F: 406.841.2701 | TDD: 406.841.2702
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Montana Department of Commerce | 301 S. Park Ave. | Helena, MT 59620