Wake Board Approves $19.3 Million for Eviction Prevention, Utility Assistance

Wake Board Approves $19.3 Million for Eviction Prevention, Utility Assistance

Last night, the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved using $19.3 million in federal funding help struggling renters behind on rent and utilities during the pandemic. Wake County will use these funds to extend and expand the House Wake! COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program, launched in September 2020.

Previous funding for House Wake! expired on Jan. 31. To finalize the details of the new funding, which comes from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, House Wake! has temporarily stopped accepting applications. The aid and support for renters who applied to House Wake! on or before this date will continue during the pause.

The final details of the new funding’s allocation and rollout within House Wake! will be shared soon. Wake County will continue to work with Telamon Corporation on the eviction prevention program and will contract with them to administer the utility payment assistance. Applications will reopen before the eviction moratorium expires. We will notify our members when the program begins accepting applications again.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds can be used for the following purposes:

• Rent and rental debts;
• Utilities and home energy costs; and
• Other expenses related to housing incurred due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Assistance can be provided for up to 12 months. The county is working with the U.S. Treasury Department on guidance that defines eligible supplemental housing services costs, whether utility assistance can be provided as a stand-alone service, and how eligibility may be impacted by those who already received assistance under prior COVID-19 response programs. The new Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds come with slightly different income eligibility, verification and documentation requirements.