Newton County Offers Housing and Utility Assistance for Households Impacted by COVID

COVINGTON, Ga. — County government is now offering a program that can provide rental, mortgage and utility assistance for eligible households impacted by COVID-19 within Newton County.

Applications were available beginning Monday, December 19 for the county’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental, Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program (NC-ERAP).

The program is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) and is administered by county ARPA consultants.

Eligible renters and mortgage homes must meet the following conditions:

• Household income is less than 80% of area median income.

• Those in 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 outbreak; Y

• Those in the household may demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability by being behind on utility, rent, or mortgage payments.

Those who are not eligible include:

• Households that have incomes greater than 80% of the area median income.

• Households that cannot show a “COVID-19 hardship” (described above) or risk of homelessness or housing instability.

• Homes from renters or mortgages that are not behind on rent or utility bills.

Online applications can be made through a secure portal at https://newtoncountygaerap.com/register.

Area median income level is defined as $96,400 within the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan Fair Market Rent (FMR) area.

For more information, call the NC-ERAP Help Line at 770-708-6888 or email newtoncountyERAP@iparametricsds.com.

Renters, mortgagees, and homeowners can also apply at the following public computer labs:

• Newton County Senior Center, 6183 Turner Lake Road, Covington; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 am to 5 pm

• Newton County Court Center Law Library, 1132 Usher St., Covington; Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm

Eligible applicants may receive:

• A maximum of eight months’ rent, two of which may be for future rentals and six months for past-due rentals;

• A maximum of three months of delinquent mortgage and one month of future payment;

• Late utility payments for a maximum of:

— $2,500 for more than five people,

— $2,000 for three or four people,

— $1,500 for one or two people.

Required documentation from tenants and landlords includes:

• Completed NC-ERAP Tenant/Homeowner Application.

• Copy of state ID or passport for each adult in the household (with proof of residency if address does not match unit).

• The most recent copy of the lease in the tenant’s name (if a written lease was completed).

• Most recent delinquent mortgage statement showing past due balance. (mortgage)

• All available proof of earned and unearned income for adult household members living in the property who are 18 years of age or older

• Household income/benefits (unemployment, SSI, etc.) for one month, OR

• Copy of filed 2021 IRS Form 1040 (first two pages) OR

• Food Assistance Program Case Action Notice Form.

• Copy of most recent past due utility statements for which the tenant/landlord is responsible, if applicable

Owners will need to provide:

• Completed NC-ERAP landlord application

• Copy of the lease (if a written lease was completed)

• Copy of the deed (Proof of ownership)

• Ledger showing tenant’s past due payments

• W-9

• Verification of legal costs, if applicable.

Please note that a landlord cannot receive assistance if the tenant does not register and provide all necessary documentation.

For more information or registration issues, please contact the NC-ERAP Help Line at 770-708-6888 or email newtoncountyERAP@iparametricsds.com.