Housing assistance program to accept applications April 5

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Richland County will be accepting applications for its Emergency Rental Assistance Program on April 5.

An online portal and a toll-free phone line will become available at 8:30 a.m. on that date for residents who need help with rent and utility bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications may be accessed online or by calling 855-216-9198.

Residents are encouraged to apply online for faster application processing, according to a news release from the county. The phone line will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturdays.

The county announced the $12.5 million program, funded by a U.S. Treasury grant, earlier this month. The program provides up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance, plus an additional three months if funds are available and the county determines the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability.

A household must be renting or have rented during the pandemic and include at least individual who meets the following criteria:

• Qualifies for unemployment or has seen a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship because of COVID-19
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Has an annual household income at or below 80% of Richland County’s area median income, or $58,100 for a family of four.

Funds must be used to reduce past-due rental and utility balances before future rent payments can be made.

Applications may also be submitted in person at the county’s Department of Government and Community Services by appointment on a limited basis. Appointments may be scheduled online or by calling 803-576-1513 beginning April 1.

Richland Library is offering assistance to residents who need help completing the application through its social work team. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 803-509-8371, texting 803-386-8606 or emailing socialworker@richlandlibrary.com.

The library’s HomeSpot lending program allows residents to borrow a Wi-Fi hot spot. For details, call 803-569-3563 or email Hotspot@richlandlibrary.com. Residents can also access free outdoor Wi-Fi at all 13 Richland Library locations, and eight are open for free indoor computer use: Main, Ballentine, North Main, Sandhills, Southeast, St. Andrews, Eastover, and Northeast.