Assistance for tenants behind on rent available now at KLCAS
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The following is a press release from Klamath and Lake Community Action Services.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Klamath and Lake Community Action Services (KLCAS) has been provided an unprecedented amount of funding, about $4.7 million, through the Consolidated Appropriation Act to prevent eligible renters who have been impacted by the pandemic from eviction for non-payment of rent.
These funds can assist with past due rent, up to three months of forward rent, and utility arrearages. The utilities covered by this program include natural gas, electricity, internet, water/sewer, and trash. The eligibility requirements are renter households who have incomes less than 80% of Area Median Income who have a household member who has qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in income, or incurred significant costs due to the pandemic and can provide a past due utility or rent notice. Renters who have received rental assistance from KLCAS previously are eligible to receive this assistance.
KLCAS would like to encourage all community members who may be eligible for this assistance to apply at www.oregonrentalassistance.org.
“Ensuring stability for households who have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic is a top priority at KLCAS,” says Christina Zamora, Executive Director of Klamath and Lake Community Action Services. “Our team is trained and prepared to process applications quickly and efficiently in order to prevent evictions for our most vulnerable community members. This program also helps private property owners by paying past due rent on behalf of tenants whose income was reduced due to the pandemic.”
As of last week, KLCAS has processed payments on behalf of 100 eligible households. The total amount of assistance provided is approximately $478,000 which represents a combination of rental assistance and payments to utilities.
“There is an intense amount of pressure to spend down these federal funds efficiently,” stated Christina Zamora, “In order to do so, we must reach out to community members who may not know that KLCAS exists or has these resources available. We would like those who know about this resource to tell their friends and neighbors about this program so we can assist community members by alleviating the stress that comes from knowing you haven’t been able to pay your rent and supporting the local economy with these funds.”