The city of Mesa is accepting applications for the federal Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program to help residents financially impacted by COVID-19.

Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the program provides rent and utility assistance to prevent eviction and homelessness, according to a release.

“Thanks to funding from the ERAP program, we have helped thousands of Mesa residents who need assistance paying for rent and utilities. Fortunately, we still have money available to help even more renters and homeowners who continue facing serious financial challenges caused by the pandemic,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said in the release.

Mesa helped 7,615 households with $34.5 million in rent and utility assistance through the program between Jan. 1, 2021 and April 1, 2022.

To quality, applicants must be a city of Mesa resident impacted by COVID through a significant lifechanging event such as loss of job, reduced hours and medical expenses. The household monthly gross income must be at or below 80% of the median depending on the number of household members. Priority will be given to applicants who have any household member unemployed for the last 90 days or longer due to COVID, or the total household income is at or below 50 percent of the area median income

Applicants to the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program must have documentation including a photo ID, proof of income for all household members for the last 60 days, a current lease agreement and a current utility bill. Assistance is based on availability of funding.

Online and paper applications are available at mesaaz.gov/residents/my-utility-account/emergency-rental-utility-assistance-program. Residents needing a paper application or assistance completing the application may visit MesaCAN (Mesa Community Action Network), 635 E. Broadway, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. They may also call 480-644-5440 or email ERAPinfo@mesaaz.gov for assistance.