CLEARFIELD – Emergency rental and utility assistance will soon be available to individuals, households and landlords who have suffered income losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Tuesday’s Clearfield County Commissioners’ meeting, Community Development Specialist Lisa Kovalick reported the county received $5,212,625 from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).
The funds will provide financial assistance to eligible households for rent and utilities, rent and utility arrearages and other housing-related expenses incurred due – directly or indirectly – to the pandemic.
The program is intended for eligible individuals and households that are obligated to pay rent and qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income or other financial hardship or experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Household Size | 80% Average Median Income |
1 | $36,500 |
2 | $41,550 |
3 | $46,750 |
4 | $51,900 |
5 | $56,100 |
6 | $60,250 |
7 | $64,400 |
8 | $68,550 |
Central Pennsylvania Community Action Inc. will administer the Human Services Plan for Emergency Rental Assistance Program on behalf of the county, beginning March 15. It will provide funds for rent/utility assistance for up to 12 months.
Kovalick said eligible individuals can have arrears covered from March of 2020 to present, so long as there’s been a loss of income. “We can pay back to 12 months in arrears, if need be, and we can pay up to three months in advance.
“… We will be careful though with the other federal COVID monies that have been out in communities for rental assistance. We won’t repay, or double dip. However, if someone received assistance for March, April and May last year, we can go on with June, July, etc.
While the program doesn’t include mortgage assistance, Kovalick said it could help these households with utility assistance. She noted utilities will include Internet (not cable television) services for educational purposes only, and payments will be made directly to the service provider.
Any funding not obligated by Aug. 1 must be returned to DHS, so postcards outlining eligibility, income guidelines and so forth are being sent out to local human service agencies and municipal authorities.
Kovalick said the program budget will provide $4,749,429 for rent and utility assistance and $463,196 for housing instability and administrative services. The program is open to both individuals and landlords.
Individuals should apply online through COMPASS, or in-person at CPCA offices in Clearfield, DuBois, Houtzdale and Philipsburg. For more information or questions, please contact CPCA at 814-765-1551 or 1-800-822-2610.
“They asked us to prioritize those with lower income,” Kovalick said, “but we will assist anyone we can … to hopefully get them back on the right path.”
In other business, the commissioners:
- reported more information will be released at next week’s meeting concerning the county’s COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) that will provide over $897,000 to eligible hotels, restaurants and bars, etc. Click here for previous news coverage.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.