PRESS RELEASE

June 23, 2022

Contact

Danica Sessions

[email protected]

360-416-1500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Skagit County Coronavirus Rental Assistance Program to Close to Most Applicants Beginning June 28

Beginning June 28, Skagit County will prioritize its remaining Coronavirus rental assistance funds to assist households that are imminently at risk of an eviction. If the state provides additional funding, the county could possibly reopen the system to new applicants at that time.

Households that have received an Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) or a 14-day Pay or Vacate Notice may apply for assistance regardless of the June 28 cutoff date. Households that have not received an ERPP notice but have applied for assistance and have not yet been approved will also not be impacted by the cutoff date.

The ERPP is a process initiated by the landlord prior to pursuing eviction through court. Before pursuing eviction for rent owed, landlords are required by the state to provide an ERPP Notice to the tenant and send a copy of the notice to the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC). If the tenant responds to the notice and accepts services, the landlord is obligated to participate in the process. Participation involves exploring options that may include accessing rental assistance and discussing options with the tenant with help from the DRC.

In addition to having an ERPP notice in hand, households must also meet all three of the following screening criteria:

1. Have a missed/passed due rent payment not paid or partially unpaid since March 1, 2020, and still occupy the residence
2. Household income is at, or below, 80% of Area Median Income
3. Household is in Skagit County

Renters can complete an online eligibility survey and get matched with a rental assistance provider by accessing the portal at www.skagitcounty.net/renthelp.

Households that do not qualify for the ERPP but continue to struggle to pay rent and utilities past June 28 are encouraged to reach out to local agencies who may be able to aid using other funding sources.

Skagit County launched the program in September of 2020 and has spent more than $15.5 million dollars in payments to landlords and local utilities, assisting over 2,400 Skagit County households.

For more information about the Coronavirus Rental Assistance Program, contact Skagit County Public Health at (360) 416-1500.

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