Catholic charities help pay rent

Catholic Charities Community Services is providing outreach, education, and application assistance for tenants and landlords in Manhattan.

The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing assistance with applications for rental-arrears and utility arrears.

Our number one priority is keeping families together.

Note: Please review the eligibility criteria below before calling us.

Eligibility

New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 80 percent AMI.

• On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.

• The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.

Households eligible for rental arrears may also be eligible for help paying utility arrears at the same rental unit.

Priority Applications

For the first 30 days of the program, priority will be given to households in the following order:

1. Households with income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) that also include a household member who:

   • Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or

   • Is a veteran; or

   • Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or

   • Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or

   • Resides in a mobile home; or

   • Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; or

   • Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units.

2. Households with income at or below 50 percent AMI.

3. Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI that also include a household member who:

   • Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or

   • Is a veteran; or

   • Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or

   • Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or

   • Resides in a mobile home; or

   • Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; or

   • Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units.

4. Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI.

After the first 30 days, applications for all eligible households will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available.

Benefits

Households approved for ERAP may receive:

• Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020.

• Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30 percent or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent.

• Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.

Payments will be made directly to the landlord/property owner and utility company on behalf of the tenant. Tenant applicants will be notified of the amounts paid on their behalf. If a landlord is difficult to locate or does not otherwise provide information needed to complete the application, funds will be held for up to 180 days to allow sufficient time to locate the landlord and collect required information as well as to provide tenant protections and maximize landlord participation.

Apply

Apply for ERAP

Documents you will need to apply when the program is open:

Renter Applicants

Renters will need to provide:

• Personal identification for all household members. Acceptable forms of identification include: A photo ID, driver’s license or non-driver government-issued ID, passport, EBT/Benefits Issuance Card, birth or baptismal certificate, school registration.

• Social Security number of any household members who have been issued one. Individuals do not need to have a lawful immigration status to qualify for the program.

• Proof of rental amount, signed lease, even if expired. If no lease is available then proof can be shown through a rent receipt, canceled check or money order. If no documentation is available, landlord attestation will be accepted.

• Proof of residency and occupancy – Signed lease, rent receipt, utility bill, school records, bank statement, postal mail with name of applicant, insurance bill, or driver’s license. Proof should be current.

• Proof of Income to document income eligibility:

  • Documents demonstrating monthly income for the prior month, such as pay stubs, bank account deposit verification, unemployment benefits letter, or other proof;

OR

• Documents demonstrating annual income for 2020, such as a W-2 tax form from an employer, an annual statement of earnings, or a copy of a completed income tax return, such as a 1040, 1040EZ, 1099 tax form, or other evidence of 2020 annual income.

• Self-attestation of income is permitted in certain circumstances where no documentation is available such as certain self-employment.

• Copy of gas or electric utility bill, if applying for help paying for utility arrears at the same rental unit.

Applicants will be asked to attest that on or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The applicant will need to sign the application form and associated certifications agreeing that the information provided in the application is accurate.

Print renter’s checklistImprimir Lista de Control del Inquilino

Landlord Information

Landlords and property owners will need to provide:

• Completed W-9 tax form.
• Executed lease with tenant applicant, or if there is no written lease, a cancelled check, evidence of funds transfer or other documentation of the last full monthly rent payment.
• Documentation of rent due from tenant (e.g. ledger, etc.) or attestation on application.
• Banking information to receive direct deposit payment.

The property owner or an authorized property management company will be required to sign the application form and associated certifications agreeing that the information provided, including the amount of rental arrears owed, is accurate and does not duplicate a payment received from another program.

The property owner or authorized property management company must also agree to the following terms as a condition of accepting rental arrears payments:

• The ERAP payment satisfies the tenant’s full rental obligations for the time period covered by the payment.
• Waive any late fees due on any rental arrears covered by the ERAP payment.
• Not increase the monthly rental amount above the monthly amount due at the time of application for ERAP assistance for months for which rental assistance is received and for one year from receipt of the ERAP payment.
• Not evict the household on behalf of whom the ERAP payment is made for reason of expired lease or holdover tenancy for one year from the receipt of the ERAP payment. An exception to this requirement shall be made if the dwelling unit contains four or fewer units and the property owner or owner’s immediate family members intend to immediately occupy the unit for use as a primary residence.

Additional ERAP Enroller Organizations by Borough

The community-based organizations listed below can also help you apply for ERAP.

Brooklyn

Queens

Bronx

Manhattan

Staten Island

We are closed Monday, January 18th. Emergency assistance will take place Tuesday, January 19th.

For many families and individuals, when money becomes tight, they are unable to make a budget that can ensure rent is paid on time, or keep a utility from being cut off. Catholic Charities understands the significant impact a situation can bring, and we offer help through our emergency rent & utility assistance program.

Applicants can qualify for emergency utility assistance by bringing a current utility bill, proof of current and identifiable income and a valid piece of personal identification. These services are provided regardless of religion, race, creed or socio-economic status.

Those requiring rent assistance will need to provide a copy of the lease in the applicant’s name, identification and proof of income.

All recipients of assistance will be required to enroll in a budgeting class.

If you need assistance with rent or a utility bill, please call or visit your area’s Catholic Charities office to begin the process.

Catholic Charities New York is assisting clients by providing direct and indirect help with applications. They are also conducting outreach and education to tenants and landlords across Manhattan.

By Jim Sliney Jr

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, tenants have had protected by State and Federal moratoriums on eviction. The protection originally came from the Centers of Disease Control and has since been extended numerous times, most recently to June 30, 2021. Meanwhile, in New York State, the moratorium for renters has been extended through August 31, 2021. Until now, legislators have been kicking the rent-crisis-can down the road. But now it looks like the road is coming to an end - and there’s good news.

Moratorium = a legal authorization to debtors to postpone payment

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP)

ERAP is a New York State program that provides assistance for up to 12 months of rent arrears. It also provides up to 3 months of additional assistance for upcoming rent payments. The ERAP is available to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status. New York State has poured $2.4 billion into the fund.

Anyone can apply, though there are qualifications. A priority is being given to households that are at or below 50% of the median area income, but anyone in rent crisis can apply. The financial assistance will provide up to one year’s worth of unpaid rent. The program also covers utilities (gas, electric, etc.). Because the program is capped at $2.4 billion, it may not be enough to help everyone, so those in need should apply soon.

THE SCOPE OF NEED

Half a million New Yorkers lost their jobs during the pandemic. In February, ABC7NY reported that the amount of rent that has gone unpaid has exceeded one billion dollars. They also reported that though the moratorium protects from eviction, landlords are still filing evictions to the courts, that the number of eviction suits filed impact NYC’s poorest neighborhoods, and are twice as high among Blacks and Latinos compared to Whites.

Almost 49,000 eviction cases have been filed in New York City housing court. How the courts will handle the overwhelming number of cases come September 1^st is unknown.

Landlords have also had it rough. Generally speaking, smaller landlords who have tenants who could not pay rent have, in turn, been unable to pay their mortgages. Similarly, commercial tenants with fewer than 50 employees (the majority of independent businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, salons, etc.) have had challenges too.

Tenants, landlords and small business renters will all be helped by the new program.

HOW IS CATHOLIC CHARITIES HELPING?
Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) is assisting clients by providing direct and indirect help with applications. They are also conducting outreach and education to tenants and landlords across Manhattan. CCCS has also partnered with 4 other New York City Community Based Organizations to reach as many tenants and landlords as possible to share more about the program and provide application assistance. 

“ERAP is just another way that CCNY continues to meet the needs of New Yorkers”, explained Lakisha Morris, the Director of Operations for Community Outreach Services at CCCS. “Keeping individuals and families in a safe and stable environment is one of our many goals as we help improve the lives of those we serve. When hard times arise, we continue to find ways to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Being one of the providers of ERAP assistance is one of many ways we can meet those needs.”

THIS IS WHERE TO GO TO APPLY
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/Emergency-Rental-Assistance/

Or you can call the Catholic Charities Helpline at 888-744-7900 and Helpline staff will assist you.

Catholic Charities Financial Assistance Programs.  Can the Catholic Church help me financially?  Catholic Charities affiliates near you offer financial relief services, like help with rent, jobs, legal services, food pantry, and many other resources to help the community at large.

This faith-based organization that churches that help pay bills to needy families, individuals. They have Christmas toys drive every year.  Whether you live in Charlotte, NC, Georgia, Texas, California, North Dakota, you can find assistance programs to meet your needs.

Their 3,621  locations also include several nations outside the U.S.  Catholic Charities offer life-affirming, supportive servicesthat help residents struggling, to care for themselves and their families.  Their outreach is to help families with issues, like food, referrals to food banks, help to pay bills,

Christmas programs, and even counseling.  For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities has been known for their untiring commitment to the most vulnerable among us.

Here are 10 Catholic Charities Assistance Programs

 Food Pantries

Unlike many food pantries, you do not need a referral from the Department of Social Services or a community action center.  All pantries are walk-in as long as the food is available.  Food banks are run with the help of volunteers.

If you have never received help from the charity before, a short application must be filled out.  If you decide to put your child up for adoption, they take you through the process and explain the pros and cons, while fully supporting your decision.  All counseling is given without cost. Parenting courses are also provided to women who decide to keep their children.

Teen Pregnancy

Pregnant teens need all the support and guidance they can get.  It can be terrifying to be pregnant as a teenager.  Especially when you don’t have the support of friends or family.  With the help of the teen pregnancy program, young women are not alone.

Teens will be able to explore either adoption or raising their children. There are programs that help prepare young women for motherhood and every other part of their lives.  Benefits of the program are:

• Medical care for self and child
• Dealing with risky behavior
• Age-appropriate parenting skills
• Parent and child interaction
• Support to attend school and graduate
• life skill training, like employment preparation, making a budget, saving, and living on your own.

Disaster Relief

Catholic Charities dispatches teams to areas across the nation when a crisis has taken place.  They provide food, home repairs, health care, and counseling to help families get back on their feet.

Assistance for Immigrants

It can be very frustrating living in a country where you don’t know the rules or even the language. Immigration professionals serve to represent clients needing representation for those who do not know how to navigate the legal process.  Immigration specialists,  help with citizenship, educating clients of their rights, benefits, and reuniting families.  Also available are bilingual staff to interpret for those who do not speak English.

Temporary/Emergency Shelters

Homelessness in on the rise across America and Catholic Charities has 167 agencies nationwide.  Their temporary housing programs help keep people off the streets by providing a safe place to live.  Their goal is to lower homelessness, reduce illness in homeless that lead to hospitalization and, connect at least 30% of the homeless to necessary medical and mental health services.

Dental Clinics

Some CSS locations provide dental services based on income.  The sliding scale program offers exrays, cleaning fillings, emergency treatments, and prescriptions.

Gas Cards

Many who are struggling financially often have to make the choice between food or gas.  From time to time you can receive Care Cards to purchase gas.  During times of community disasters, this organization has giving out gas cards to front line workers, and those who have lost jobs.  More

Supporting Stronger Families

Family Strengthening program helps parents develop the skills to help them lead their families.  Areas including financial responsibility, communication, and coaching.

Prison Ministry

Incarcerated men and women can enroll their children to receive gifts and toys for Christmas, with the Angel Tree program.  Contact your local CC to find dates to register.

Mental Health Services

CSS provides counseling as a part of its Integrative Health program.  There is help for those experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, family and relationship issues.

Foundational Services

Foundational services are anything that deals with physical and emotional health and wellness.  This would include senior assistance, foster care, pregnancy and adoptions services, prison ministry and more

Become a Volunteer

No non-profit or charity and survive, without the selflessness of those who freely volunteer in the service of others.  Please consider working with this amazing organization.   If you want to become a volunteer go here to fill out an application.

Catholic Charities Financial Assistance Locations

Alabama

Baldwin Alabama
Birmingham, AL – (205) 838-8316 – Website
Mobile, AL (251) 434-1550 – More Info.

Alaska

Anchorage – (907) 276-5590 Website
Juneau – (907) 586-9018 – More

Arizona – Web

Phoenix – (602) 285-1999
Senior Living, Phoenix – (602) 285-1800 – Web
Southern AZ – (520) 624-6452

Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas – (501) 664-0340 –  Info

California

Diocese of Fresno – (559) 237-0851
Los Angeles – (323) 266-3130
Monterey, Seaside – 831-393-3110
East Bay / Oakland – (510) 768-3100
Also Orange County, Santa Ana California

Sacramento, CA

San Bernardino – (909) 880-3625 San Bernardino/Riverside,
San Diego – (619) 287-9454 – Web,
San Francisco – (415) 972-1200 – Read more.

Santa Barbara County, CA
Santa Barbara – (805) 965-7045
Carpinteria – (805) 684-8621
Santa Maria – (805) 922-2059
Lompoc – (805) 736-6226

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, CA
Main Office San Jose, California – (408) 468-0100
Santa Rosa – (707) 528-8712 – Read more
Stockton – (209) 444-5900

California County Website

Colorado

Boulder County – (719) 475-7314
Denver – (720) 377-1313
Pueblo -(719) 544-4233

Colorado County Sites

Connecticut

Bridgeport, CT. Telephone (203)416-1503
Covers all of Fairfield County
Hartford – (860) 493-1841
Norwich – (860) 493-1841

Websites in Connecticut

Deleware

Diocese of Wilmington DE 302-764-2717
District of Columbia – (860) 493-1841

Diocese of Wilmington DE

District Of Columbia

Archdiocese of Washington

Florida

St. Augustine in Jacksonville, Florida. Assistance programs are offered to residents of all of Duval County. For emergency financial assistance, please contact United Way by calling 2-1-1 or (904)632-0600.

Central Florida

Orlando, FL – (407) 658-1818
Columbia County Call (386) 754-9180.   It Covers Lafayette and Hamilton, as well.
Pensacola, Florida – (850) 436-6411. More information
Palm Beach, FL (561)-775-9560
Catholic Charites Central Fl – (863)294-3144
Diocese of Venice, Inc. – (941)-484-9543

Catholic Charities Websites in Florida

Georgia

Catholic Charities Atlanta, GA- Call (404) 881-6571
Catholic Social Services, Savannah, GA – call – (912) 201-4100

Websites in Georgia

Hawaii

Catholic Charities Hawaii – Pasco County

Guam

Idaho

Catholic Charities of Idaho, Boise – Call – (208) 345-6031)

• Catholic Charities of Idaho

Illinois

Chicago – (312) 655-7283
Joliet – (815) 723-0582
Diocese of Peoria – (309) 636-8000
Southern Illinois, Belleville, call – (618) 235-9601
Springfield, IL – (217) 546-2515

Illinois Websites

Indiana

Evansville -(812) 423-5456
Fort Wayne-South Bend – (260) 422-5625
Catholic Charities, Gary – (219) 886-3565

Iowa 

Davenport – (563) 324-1911
Des Moines – (515) 244-3761
Dubuque – (563) 588-0558
Sioux City – (712) 252-4547

Kansas

Catholic Social Service, Dodge City – (620) 227-1562
Northeast Kansas, Overland Park, (913) 433-2100
Salina, Inc., 888-468-6909

Southwest Kansas

Wichita Kansas. Call 316.264-8344. Covers Sedgwick, Harvey, Butler and other counties.
Covington, KY – (859) 581-8974
Louisville, KY – (502) 636-92631
Diocese of Lexington, KY – (859) 253-1993

Louisiana – New Orleans – more

Shreveport – (318) 828-1456
Diocese of Baton Rouge – (225) 336-8700
Alexandria, Louisiana – Phone number – (318) 445-6424
Houma-Thibodaux Louisiana, 985-876-0490. Covers Terrebonne and Lafourche
Catholic Office of Justice and Peace, Lafayette, LA. Call (337) 261-5654
Archdiocese of New Orleans – Call – (504) 523-3755
Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana – (337) 439-7436

Maine

Maine, Portland. Telephone (207) 781-8550

Maryland

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Main number
(410) 547-5490.

Boston MA

Essex County and northern Massachusetts  – (617) 482-5440
Fall River – (508) 674-4681
Springfield, MA – (413) 452-0605
Massachusetts, Bristol, Barnstable, and nearby counties.
Worcester County – (508) 798-0191

Michigan

Upper Peninsula, Marquette

Detroit – (313) 883-2100
Kalamazoo – (269) 381-9800
West Michigan – (616) 551-4747
St. Paul and Minneapolis, New Ulm Minnesota. Telephone -(866) 670-5163
Catholic Charities, Saint-Cloud – (320) 650-1660

Minnesota

Winona Minnesota. Telephone (507) 454-2270

Mississippi

Biloxi, MS – (228) 702-2100
Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi – (601) 355-8634

Missouri

Kansas City, MO  – (816) 221-4377
St. Louis, MO – (314) 367-5500
Catholic Charities of Central & Northern Missouri, Jefferson City – (573) 634-8568
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, Springfield, (417) 866-0841.

Montana

Montana, Helena – (406) 442-4130

Nebraska

Omaha, NE – (402) 554-0520