The City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program launches today, June 1. The goal is to distribute money received through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to eligible residents who are unable to pay rent and utilities due to economic constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $10,119,409 has been allocated to the City and County and is available to support the program.
Effective today, residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County who are renters needing assistance to cover past, current or upcoming rent or utility payments may apply online at fayettevillecumberlandRAP.com, by phone at 888-495-7710, or in-person by scheduling an appointment through the Customer Call Center at 888-495-7710. Hours of Operation are Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The program will operate through Dec. 31, 2021, or until all available money is disbursed, whichever comes first. Applicants can apply once to receive assistance.
“COVID-19 changed our lives and people are trying to survive financial struggles brought on by the pandemic,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said. “Eviction and foreclosure moratoriums are ending. This program can help our residents stay afloat. We encourage landlords to work with tenants who may be behind on rent to apply for this assistance program.”
“Residents across the county have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and now more than ever need our help to maintain housing stability for their families,” Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chair Charles Evans said. “Cumberland County looks forward to partnering with the City of Fayetteville to jointly offer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to all eligible households needing aid during this challenging time.”
Money from the Rental Assistance Program can go toward current and past due rent as well as current and past due utilities, internet and home energy costs dated no earlier than March 13, 2020. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Resident of the City of Fayetteville or Cumberland County, N.C.;
- Between March 13, 2020 and the present, one or more individuals within the household qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (Please note that households with an income at or below 50% will be prioritized during the first 30 days of the program to ensure funding is made available to our most vulnerable populations)
80% of Area Median Income in Cumberland County, NC:
50% of Area Median Income in Cumberland County, NC:
Landlords may work with their tenants to complete an application.
Visit fayettevillecumberlandRAP.com to access the program application.