Maricopa County program provides nearly $1M in rental assistance

Maricopa County’s new program to help people struggling to pay rent has produced promising results during its first month of operation, according to a release.

Since the County COVID Rental Assistance program launched July 15, more than 300 households have received a combined 662 months — or $993,000 — of paid rent, the release states.

“There is an incredible need for rent assistance because of the economic downturn due to COVID-19,” stated Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman, District 4. “That’s why the Board unanimously approved $30 million to fund this program using money from the CARES Act. We don’t want one crisis to lead to another.”

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved funding for the new program June 8.  The CCRA service and accompanying automated system were developed, agreements with community action programs were established, staff were recruited, hired and trained and CCRA launched July 15. 

Bruce Liggett, director of Maricopa County Human Services Department, which administers the program, says his department is posting the number of started and completed applications every two weeks.

The report is accessible at Maricopa.gov/CovidRentHelp. As of Wednesday, Aug. 19, it shows:

Prescreen applications submitted: 2,388

Prescreen applications awaiting Documents: 809

Deemed ineligible: 757

Complete applications with documents: 822

• • Complete applications awaiting disposition: 499
  • Households approved and assistance provided: 323

Months approved and assistance Provided: 662

Total assistance provided: $993,000

There are three ways renters can apply for County COVID Rental Assistance:

Apply at Maricopa.gov/CovidRentHelp

Apply at one of 13 Community Action sites at maricopa.gov/CovidRentHelp

Applicants for the Arizona Department of Housing Rental Assistance program will also be considered

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The program allows for retroactive payments beginning in March, and funds will be distributed through mid-December or when rental assistance funds have been fully expended, the release states.