State rental program expanded to offer utility help

Louisiana’s U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program ia being expanded to include utility assistance.
The program focuses on providing financial assistance to Louisiana renters and landlords experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Governor's Office.
More information can be found at LAStateRent.com.
Louisiana renters may be eligible for assistance from the state-administered program if they meet all of the following criteria:
—Renter resides in a rental unit in one of 57 parishes covered by state-administered program.
—At least one individual 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 COVID-19.
—Renter has received a past-due rent notice, a past-due utility notice, an eviction notice or is experiencing housing instability.
—Renter’s total household income is at or below 80% of the area median income.
Both renters and landlords are eligible to apply for assistance. Priority is given to households where at least one member has been unemployed for more than 90 days due to COVID-19 and to households earning less than 50% of the area median income, as required by the law. In most cases, rental assistance is provided to the landlord, and utility assistance will be paid directly to utility providers.
To learn more or to apply for the state program, tenants and landlords can visit www.LAStateRent.com. For questions about the program or assistance with the application process, renters or landlords can call 877-459-6555, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. To attend an application assistance event scheduled near you, visit www.LAStateRent.com/events.