FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- The Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department is accepting applications for several programs to assist residents with housing and other household expenses during COVID-19.
Victor Turner, Director of the Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department, said the City of Fort Worth has allocated $15.4 million in CARES Act funds to assist residents. That amount is estimated to serve about 4,284 households locally.
“The funding is available for rental and mortgage assistance as well as utilities, medical and some food,” said Turner. “They must prove that they had a loss of wages or are currently unemployed,” he said.
Turner said unemployment has skyrocketed since March and as many as 15% of renters in Fort Worth didn’t pay rent in April.
“Individuals and families below 80% of area media income can get up to $3,600 and those between 81%-120% of area medium income can get up to $2,400 with this funding,” said Turner.
You can apply for funding here
Available funding programs include (provided by the city of Fort Worth):
Community Services Block Grant
Recommended amount: $2,532,450.
Estimated households to be assisted: 700.
Provides eligible applicants rent and utility assistance. Eligible applicants must meet program income requirements, which includes household incomes at or below 200% of the poverty level. The applicant may only apply for rent and utility assistance related to one property.
Coronavirus Relief Fund
Recommended amount: $7,200,000.
Estimated households to be assisted: 2,000.
Provides eligible applicants emergency rental, rapid rehousing, utility assistance and other household expenses such as groceries and medicine. Eligible applicants’ total household income must be at or below 120% of the area median income. Applicants must provide documentation for the proof of hardship caused by COVID-19 that renders the household unable to pay rent, mortgage or utilities. Applicants must be a resident of the City of Fort Worth.
Other CARES Act funding for housing will be made available through partner agencies in June.
These funding opportunities include:
Community Development Block Grant
Recommended amount: $3,488,233.
Estimated households to be assisted: 970.
Program provides eligible applicants emergency rental assistance for impacted families. Eligible applicants’ total household income must meet program income requirements at or below 80% of the area median income. The applicant may only apply for rent, assistance related to one property. Applicants must provide documentation for the proof of hardship caused by COVID-19 that renders the household unable to pay rent. Applicants must be a resident of the City of Fort Worth. Program will be administered by local nonprofit social service organizations under contract with the city.
Emergency Solutions Grant
Recommend amount: $1,982,664.
Estimated households to be assisted: 536.
Provides rapid rehousing assistance, including security deposits, to people experiencing homelessness to quickly reconnect to permanent housing. The assistance will be available four to 12 months depending on extent of need for support services.
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
Recommended amount: $231,999.
Estimated households to be assisted: 64.
Short-term rent and utilities, supportive services and tenant-based rental assistance for people who are HIV-positive or diagnosed with AIDS and impacted by COVID-19. Applicants must be at or below 80% area median income. Program will be administered by nonprofit social service agency partners and the city Community Action Partners program
