$6.8 Million Rent Relief Program to Support Those Affected by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the financial health of the residents of Cuyahoga County tremendously. 

The unemployment rate as of April 2020 was at 23.5 percent, an increase of 18.4 percent since February. Over 21 percent of Ohio residents are currently unable to make their monthly house payment, according to a U.S. Census Bureau scientific survey. With short-term eviction freezes expiring soon, a new plan was needed to prevent people from losing their homes.

To help combat this, a resolution awarding $6.8 million for the creation of the Cuyahoga County Rent Relief Fund has been submitted to County Council by County Executive Armond Budish. This Relief Fund, which is being administered by CHN Housing Partners, will provide countywide emergency rental assistance for up to three months to income-eligible tenants unable to pay their full monthly rent due to the economic impact from COVID-19. 

The checks will be made to their landlords, which will not only keep people in their homes but should also stem the economic disaster that will hurt building owners—landlords.

Households who are at 120 percent of median income, for example, a family of four with an annual income of around $90,000, are eligible. 

The County worked in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Cities of Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Lakewood and Parma to direct federal funds to this uniform countywide system for emergency rental assistance to help prevent homelessness.

CHN Housing Partners will be ready for applications on July 1. But anyone who needs assistance now should call 2-1-1.