Good News: Rental Assistance available for Jackson County residents

  The Jackson County Legislature passed an ordinance March 22nd to help families throughout Jackson County who were evicted from their homes as of February 3, 2021 as adjudicated in cases by the 16th Circuit Court.
     These households were unable to pay current and past due rent and utility bills as part of the ongoing crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     The amount of $387,946.84 will immediately assist 152 people, with portions to help 87 people with Court costs and help 65 families to keep possession of their homes. These families may also qualify to get further assistance as there will be additional funds made available from the State of Missouri for rental assistance.
     These funds are part of the $11.5 million grant issued to Jackson County as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which established a $25 billion Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program for state, county and municipal governments. 
     In a press release, the County Legislature stated it “feels a duty to be responsive to the needs of all citizens of Jackson County and will continue to do so. During these times when there continues to be incredible amounts of suffering by families, friends, neighbors, schools and businesses, by no fault of their own, their is light at the end of the tunnel. That light comes in the form of the COVID-19 numbers coming down along with the number of hospitalizations and deaths associated with this pandemic.”
     We also have at least 136 million additional federal dollars to help get our lives, schools and economy heading in the right direction that has just come into Jackson County with this last aid package.”
     The County legislature approved an ordinance on March 22nd, authorizing  
the use of $11,550,205 in grant monies the County received from the federal government to launch an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The program would provide financial assistance and housing stability services to Eastern Jackson County families struggling financially. Households facing imminent eviction would receive priority assistance.
     The Community Services League and United Way of Greater Kansas City have formed a collaborative partnership to implement and administer the County’s program.
     “Many families are in dire need of help and this is our opportunity to provide a lifeline to them during these challenging times,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. 
     “I am grateful for our local partners who share our commitment of housing stability and will assist us in getting these critical dollars to those in need as quickly as possible.”
     Eligible households include renters who demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability, have seen their income reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and earn a household income at or below 80% of the county median income. Once approved, eligible individuals may receive up to 12 months of assistance. Rental and utility assistance payments are made directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the tenant.
     More information about the program including eligibility requirements, an application checklist and to sign-up to be notified when the application portal is open, can be found at www.jacksoncountyerap.org. Detailed program information is also readily available for Spanish-speaking families at www.jacksoncountyerap.org/espanol.
     The $11.5 million grant is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which established a $25 billion Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program for state, county and municipal governments. The amount of funding received is based on the County’s population, excluding the City of Kansas City, MO.