POUGHKEEPSIE – Over $1.1 million is available in Dutchess County through a COVID-19 emergency rent and utility relief program for low- and moderate-income households adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Although there is a temporary moratorium on evictions, payment for past-due rents will be due when the moratorium is lifted, and many households will have difficulty paying past-due rent quickly enough to avoid eviction.
Dutchess County is allocating over $930,000 to the program, which aims to promote housing security to all county residents outside the City of Poughkeepsie, and the city is allocating $200,000 to the program.
The county has also received $8.7 million from the U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program, specifically for rent and utility relief. Applications for those funds are anticipated to be available by the end of May.
The city receives its own Community Development Block grant-COVID-19 funds.
“Tenants and landlords continue to feel the effects of this pandemic, as many tenants’ employment has been severely limited – if not terminated – making it impossible for them to pay rent to their landlords,” said County Executive Marcus Molinaro. “I urge residents who need help paying their rent and utilities to explore this option.”
“During this pandemic, providing rent relief to those who need it is of the utmost importance,” Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison said. “This COVID-19 crisis has lasted longer than many of us would have imagined when the virus first spread to our community. Preventing evictions is essential, and we are grateful to be able to participate in this program that will undoubtedly help many of our residents.”
