The City of Fort Wayne has opened up a new emergency rental assistance program to help individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and have fallen behind on rent and utility bills.
Applications opened Monday morning, and assistance will be granted to renters of homes, apartments or other residential units. But there are some requirements, such as:
- Renting within the Fort Wayne city limits;
- Having a household income at or below 80% of the area median; that’s $56,900 for a family of four; and,
- Experiencing hardship due to COVID-19.
The assistance would cover past due rental payments and up to three months of future payments, and past due utility bills up to twelve months.
Those who qualify for assistance can apply now, either online at fwcares.org or by calling 317-552-1463. Brightpoint, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and Baker Tilly U.S. are partnering with the city, and can also be contacted for application assistance.
The funding comes from an $8.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury earmarked for emergency rental assistance. The city says it will work with eligible renters “until there is no more available funding.”
