Act now: Here's how to apply for rental and utility assistance

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Renters who have suffered financial losses during the pandemic can now apply for relief to help with rent and utility bills.

How to apply:

Kansas City residents can apply by going to gkcassistanceprogram.org.

Jackson County residents outside of Kansas City can apply at jacksoncountyerap.org/application.

The funding is available through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program that is providing $25 billion in pandemic relief funds nationwide, including some $30 million for the Kansas City area.

Who can apply:

The funds will be distributed through service agencies within local communities. Some criteria will apply. An eligible renter:

• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;

• Has demonstrated a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and

• Has a household income at or below 80% of the area median income.

Applications are prioritized for assistance if the renter has a household income at or below 50 percent of the area median, or if the household has a worker that has been unemployed for at least 90 days prior to applying for rental assistance.

Help available:

• Past due rent back to April 1, 2020

• Forward payment of rent for up to 3 months

• Past due utilities back to April 1, 2020

To contact rent relief agencies statewide by county, go to mohousingresources.com/housing-resources.

LINC provides contacts to many social services and emergency relief resources including rental assistance, plus food resources, utility bill assistance, Covid-19 vaccine and testing information, legal aid, and other resources at kclinc.org/help.