Greensboro's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is getting a big boost in funding from Guilford County, allowing city leaders to keep the program afloat.
Since its launch in March, ERAP has provided financial assistance to over 2,700 families struggling to pay rent or utilities due to the pandemic. City funding for it recently dried up though, forcing program managers to look for other sources of cash.
Now, the Guilford County Department of Social Services will provide an additional $10 million to keep the program running. Greensboro's city council signed off on the agreement Tuesday.
Michelle Kennedy is the director of Greensboro's Neighborhood Development Department, which oversees the ERAP program.
“We've expended $13.4 million back into the community for people with housing emergencies," says Kennedy. "And we had no way to anticipate how great the need would be. So we're looking forward to getting this money back and keeping our tenants in their housing and helping landlords be sure that they can continue to move forward with their processes.”
Greensboro renters who meet certain income requirements and who have been financially impacted by the pandemic may qualify for the assistance.
Applications can be submitted via the city's website.