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New Orleans launches ‘extremely limited’ rent assistance program

CityBusiness staff reports//July 25, 2020//

New Orleans launches ‘extremely limited’ rent assistance program

CityBusiness staff reports//July 25, 2020//

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Orleans Parish renters facing immediate eviction can apply beginning Monday for assistance that is expected to run out quickly.

“Funding for this program is extremely limited and will not meet the scale of demand that we know exists,” a news release from the city said.

The funding is for renters “who are in imminent danger of being evicted,” the release said.  Applicants must have experienced a loss of income related to COVID-19 and are likely to become homeless within the next 30 days without financial assistance.

Potentially eligible households include those with children, disabled people, elderly residents or those with underlying medical conditions.

Funding will be reserved for households with the “greatest and most imminent need,” and it will be paid directly to the landlord, the release said. Landlords must agree to not evict the tenant or attempt to recapture any outstanding fees, it said.

To apply, contact the Office of Community Development at (504) 658-4200 or apply online at NOLA Ready.

The city said it is trying to “fill the gap” left by expiring federal unemployment insurance that offered an additional $600 per week. The news release did not say how much money is available for rent assistance.

At the state level, a $24 million rent assistance program was recently suspended after 40,000 applicants started filling out applications for the help in less than four days. The agency managing the program said it only had enough funding to assist 10,000 people.

New Orleans said it will continue its meal assistance program that began in early July for home-bound seniors, adults with high-risk health conditions, residents with special medical needs, homeless residents, residents who have tested COVID-19 positive or are having to quarantine, and children 18 and under who are not currently receiving other federally supported food assistance.

To apply, visit nola311.gov/MealAssist or call 311.

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