Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program update

by Mescalero Apache Tribe | January 28, 2022 2:18 pm

The ERA Program provided over $1.5 million in rent and utility assistance in the last six months. Due to overwhelming demand and limited funds the following changes are now in effect.

• January 2022 is the last month utilities will be paid. Tenants are responsible for their utility
  (electric, gas, phone, internet, etc.) bills starting February 2022. The ERA Program only paid bills
  from April 2021 to January 2022. If you had an outstanding balance prior to April 2021 and did
  not make a payment, the same outstanding balance remains. ERA Program guidelines identified
  a specific period of time we could provide financial assistance.
• March 2022 is the last month rent will be paid for off reservation tenants.
• March 31, 2022 is the last night hotel rooms will be paid for.
• The changes above DO NOT apply to the elderly.

The ERA Program requested an additional $2.2 million to continue the program and the Treasury Department approved $117,000 additional funding.

Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program

The HAF Program is paused due to funding. We received the initial 10% and spent those funds. The Treasury Department extended the funding date for the remaining 90% three times. All Indian Country HAF programs are experiencing the same delays, not just Mescalero. The HAF program will resume once funding is available. The following changes are now in effect.

• The HAF Program is paused.
• January 2022 is the last month utilities will be paid.
• Mortgage assistance and repairs in process will continue.

Home Repair Program (Elderly & General)

The Home Repair Program will begin Thursday February 3rd. Available funds are for homes in Mescalero to address habitability issues and are limited to roofs, windows, bathrooms, flooring, and wood stoves. Priority is given to the elderly. Applications for the Home Repair Program (Elderly & General) can be picked up or emailed beginning Thursday February 3rd.

Source URL: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/16020/emergency-rental-assistance-era-program-update/

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