Maricopa County expands COVID-19 rent and utility assistance program

PHOENIX — Maricopa County has expanded its emergency rental and utility assistance program to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Friday.

To be eligible to receive assistance, applicants’ household income must be at or below 80% of Maricopa’s median income, which is $56,050 for a family of three.

Additionally, applicants must qualify for unemployment benefits or have experienced reduced income due to COVID-19, as well as demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability as evidenced by past due notices.

Priority is given to applicants who have any household member unemployed for the last 90 days or longer due to the pandemic or the total household income is at or below 50% of the area median income.

Those who qualify can apply online.

“Over the past eight months, Maricopa County has provided an unprecedented amount of assistance to individuals and families struggling to pay their bills, an increase of more than tenfold what we can typically provide,” Bruce Liggett, the county’s human services department director, said in a press release.

“But we understand the need for help in our community is still immense and housing stability is critically important. This new federal funding allows us to continue the important work of supporting families and keeping people in their homes.”

The program is funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program, part of the recent coronavirus relief package passed by Congress.