FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2023
EMERGENCY RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE STILL AVAILABLE
Application submission is ongoing
Lafayette, LA – Applications are being accepted throughout Lafayette Parish for the Lafayette Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP). The program is available to assist qualified low- and moderate-income households with paying rent and overdue rent as well as current and overdue utility payments. Those who need assistance are encouraged to apply.
In addition to the $21 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance received, Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has since been granted an additional $4.8 million. “With relief funds still available, we encourage those who’ve struggled with income loss during COVID-19 to apply. We are continuing to accept and process applications, and households in all municipalities of Lafayette Parish are eligible to submit an application,” said LCG Community Development and Planning Department Director Mary Sliman.
The application requires input from both the tenant and the landlord to facilitate the process and reduce the time it takes to get assistance. Tenants must complete the application and have their income and/or government benefits readily available. Landlords must have the amount of rent owed readily available. Ultimately, both the tenant and landlord must sign off on the application.
WHAT EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE COVERS
Emergency funds must first be used to pay overdue rent before receiving assistance for future rent payments. Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of rental assistance or up to 12 months of overdue rental assistance, plus an additional three months if it’s determined the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability. Households may reapply for additional aid at the end of the three-month period if the overall time limit of 18 months for assistance is not exceeded.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility is based on a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meet the following criteria:
- Qualifies for unemployment or has had a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship during COVID-19
- Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Household income must not exceed 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Lafayette Parish.
Follow this link to find income limits: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2022/2022summary.odn
Priority is given to eligible households that include someone who has been unemployed for 90 days prior to application and households with income at or below 50 percent of the AMI for Lafayette Parish.
Household income is determined as either the household’s total income for the calendar year 2022 or the household’s monthly income at the time of application. For households using monthly incomes, eligibility must be redetermined every three months.
LCG is partnering with SMILE Community Action Agency to disburse funds.
HOW TO APPLY
Online
- SMILE Community Action Agency smilecaa.org.
In Person
- SMILE Community Action Agency, 501 St. John Street, Lafayette, or call 337-234-3272 Ext. 200.
