Doña Ana County Manager Fernando R. Macias announced that the criteria to qualify for help from the Emergency Rent and Utilities Assistance Program is now expanded to include mobile home lot rent and rent-to-own payments.
“This expansion includes help with rental payments for people who pay rent for the lot their mobile home is on or rent-to-own their homes,” Macias said. “We understand residents throughout Doña Ana County may need help and we are proud to offer this assistance. We want both landlords and people who rent and need help to call or visit our website and let us help.”
There is urgency for individuals to apply now, because of time limits to expend the funds. Sixty-five percent of the federal funds awarded to the County or $6.01 million need to be spent or encumbered by Sept. 30, 2021. Otherwise, the County and the community may see some of the unspent funds reverted to the federal government. As of April 7, the County has spent $508,527.
Any Doña Ana County resident who rents can apply for this program. Landlords can also initiate applications for their tenants.
Income eligibility requirements remain the same for this program. For example, eligible households have an income that does not exceed 80% of area median income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, which is $43,900 in annual income for a family of four. Proof of financial hardship caused by the pandemic is required. It may be proof of unemployment insurance or loss of income, or other financial hardship that threatens the household’s ability to pay rent or rental utilities.
Information from Doña Ana County