CARES Act Rent Assistance Deadline Is Dec. 14, County Reminds

Marlene Lang
·2 min read

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County is among the most expensive places to live in Pennsylvania and residents here who need help with rent because of COVID-19 impacts have until next Monday to apply for the CARES Act assistance.

In September, the Chester County Commissioners approved $1.8 million in CARES funding to help cover rental payments and additional services such as utilities for those with job and income losses related to the pandemic.

"Previous programs have provided up to $750 in rental assistance, but that is not enough to cover the cost of housing in Chester County," said Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development.

"This additional funding provides a more practical option for families who have lost income due to this pandemic. While it has been available for a few months, we are sending a reminder now that the application deadline for funds is Dec. 14."

Renters meeting the criteria of this rental assistance program should contact 211 and ask for assistance with rent payments, the county said today.

The County's rental assistance program provides for payment to be made within 48 hours, once all application forms are submitted with the necessary documentation. The assistance is for individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who are unable to pay their rent and are in danger of becoming homeless without assistance.

The funding will be disbursed by the Housing Authority of Chester County to implement its Homeless Prevention and Rental Assistance Program, and will complement additional funding that the County and the PA Housing Finance Agency have provided.

"It is important to keep Chester County families in their homes and this funding will help to prevent them from moving into emergency shelters or other homeless situations," said Bokovitz.

Qualified applicants can receive assistance that may cover up to a six-month period beginning March 1, 2020. The first step in the application process is to contact 211 and ask for assistance with rent payments.

The household must also have family income below the Chester County median income limits, county officials explained.

The U.S. Census bureau reported Chester County's median household income as $96,726.

This article originally appeared on the West Chester Patch